Sec. 51.207. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. (a) The commission shall develop and implement a policy requiring the executive director and department employees to research and propose appropriate technological solutions to improve the department's ability to perform its functions. The technological solutions must:

(1) ensure that the public is able to easily find information about the department on the Internet;

(2) ensure that persons who want to use the department's services are able to:

(A) interact with the department through the Internet; and

(B) access any service that can be provided effectively through the Internet; and

(3) be cost-effective and developed through the department's planning processes.

(b) The department shall provide on its Internet website a link to an Internet website that allows the public to track legislation affecting the programs administered by the department, which may be a website that provides legislative information administered by the Texas Legislature.

(c) The department may satisfy any requirement under this chapter or another law governing a program subject to regulation by the department to provide notice by delivering the notice by e-mail to the recipient's last known e-mail address if the recipient has previously authorized the department to deliver the notice by e-mail. An e-mail address used under this subsection is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 816, Sec. 1.015, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 452 (S.B. 845), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.