Section 531.0204 - Transition Plan for Implementation of Consolidation(a) The transfers of functions under Sections 531.0201, 531.02011, and 531.02012 must be accomplished in accordance with a transition plan developed by the executive commissioner that ensures that the transfers and provision of health and human services in this state are accomplished in a careful and deliberative manner. The transition plan must:(1) include an outline of the commission's reorganized structure, including its divisions, in accordance with this subchapter, Sections 531.00561, 531.00562, and 531.008, and other provisions enacted by the 84th Legislature that become law;(2) include details regarding movement of functions and a timeline that, subject to the periods prescribed by Section 531.02001, specifies the dates on which:(A) the transfers under Sections 531.0201, 531.02011, and 531.02012 are to be made;(B) each state agency or entity subject to abolition under Section 531.0202 is abolished; and(C) each division of the commission is created and the division's director is appointed;(3) for purposes of Sections 531.0201, 531.02011, and 531.02013, define:(A) client services functions;(B) regulatory functions;(C) public health functions; and(D) functions related to:(i) state-operated institutions;(ii) child protective services;(iii) adult protective services; and(iv) prevention and early intervention services; and(4) include an evaluation and determination of the feasibility and potential effectiveness of consolidating administrative support services into the commission in accordance with Section 531.02012, including a report of:(A) the specific support services that will be consolidated within the commission;(B) a timeline that details when specific support services will be consolidated, including a description of the support services that will transfer by the last day of each period prescribed by Section 531.02001; and(C) measures the commission will take to ensure information resources and contracting support services continue to operate properly across the health and human services system under any consolidation of administrative support services.(b) In defining the transferred functions under Subsection (a)(3), the executive commissioner shall ensure that:(1) not later than the last day of the period prescribed by Section 531.02001(1), all functions of a state agency or entity subject to abolition under Section 531.0202(a) are transferred to the commission or the Department of Family and Protective Services, as applicable;(2) the transferred prevention and early intervention services functions to the Department of Family and Protective Services include:(A) prevention and early intervention services as defined under Section 265.001, Family Code; and(B) programs that: (i) provide parent education;(ii) promote healthier parent-child relationships; or(iii) prevent family violence; and(3) not later than the last day of the period prescribed by Section 531.02001(2), all functions of the state agency and entity subject to abolition under Section 531.0202(b) are transferred to the commission.(c) In developing the transition plan, the executive commissioner shall, before submitting the plan to the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee, the governor, and the Legislative Budget Board as required by Subsection (e):(1) hold public hearings in various geographic areas in this state regarding the plan; and(2) solicit and consider input from appropriate stakeholders.(d) Within the periods prescribed by Section 531.02001:(1) the commission shall begin administering the respective functions assigned to the commission under Sections 531.0201 and 531.02011, as applicable; and(2) the Department of Family and Protective Services shall begin administering the functions assigned to the department under Section 531.0201.(d-1) The assumption of the administration of the functions transferred to the commission and the Department of Family and Protective Services under Sections 531.0201 and 531.02011, as applicable, must be accomplished in accordance with the transition plan.(e) The executive commissioner shall submit the transition plan to the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee, the governor, and the Legislative Budget Board not later than March 1, 2016. The Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee shall comment on and make recommendations to the executive commissioner regarding any concerns or adjustments to the transition plan the committee determines appropriate. The executive commissioner may not finalize the transition plan until the executive commissioner has reviewed and considered the comments and recommendations of the committee regarding the transition plan.(f) The executive commissioner shall publish in the Texas Register: (1) the transition plan developed under this section;(2) any adjustments to the transition plan recommended by the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee;(3) a statement regarding whether the executive commissioner adopted or otherwise incorporated the recommended adjustments; and(4) if the executive commissioner did not adopt a recommended adjustment, the justification for not adopting the adjustment.Tex. Gov't. Code § 531.0204
Added by Acts 2015, Texas Acts of the 84th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 837,Sec. 1.01, eff. 9/1/2015.