87R5286 JG-D     By: Bowers, Campos H.B. No. 1260       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on the feasibility of establishing a   centralized homelessness crisis response data system.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "council" means the Texas   Interagency Council for the Homeless established under Subchapter   KK, Chapter 2306, Government Code.          (b)  The council shall conduct a study on the feasibility of   establishing a centralized homelessness crisis response data   system through which state agencies, local governmental entities,   including law enforcement agencies, court systems, school   districts, and emergency service providers, and other relevant   persons are able to share and access information related to   individuals who experience chronic homelessness in order to connect   or refer those individuals to services, including affordable   housing opportunities.          (c)  In conducting the study under this section, the council   shall:                (1)  consult with representatives of the entities   described by Subsection (b) of this section to determine the   challenges faced by those entities in addressing chronic   homelessness and how best to improve the responses to those   challenges; and                (2)  assess the feasibility of the centralized   homelessness crisis response data system described by Subsection   (b) of this section to:                      (A)  collect data from other homelessness crisis   response data systems maintained or operated by a state agency,   local law enforcement agency, or other entity of this state; and                      (B)  collect, aggregate, analyze, and share   homelessness information with entities that have access to the   system.          (d)  Not later than November 1, 2022, the council shall   prepare and submit to the Texas Department of Housing and Community   Affairs a written report that summarizes the results of the study   conducted under this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act expires September 1, 2023.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.