1. (a) Subject to Section 10.003(1), the early childhood interagency work group shall initiate the development of the early childhood integrated data system for the purpose of facilitating the sharing of data from early childhood programs across state agencies to:

   1. (1) inform policy related to early childhood programs at the state level; and
   2. (2) guide improvements to early childhood programs to provide better outcomes for children and families.

2. (b) The system must be developed in a manner that:

   1. (1) allows for the integration of existing state and federal data systems that are accessible to the cooperating entities and that contain data derived from early childhood services and programs;

   2. (2) allows for the identification of and reporting on:

      1. (A) specific outcome measures using aggregated data that does not contain any identifying information, to the extent state or federal law, as applicable, expressly authorizes that use of the information;
      2. (B) gaps in services;
      3. (C) opportunities to align services and programs; and
      4. (D) coordination needs across services and programs; and
   3. (3) complies with state and federal laws relating to privacy, cybersecurity, and data collection, including rules establishing procedures to ensure that there is no unauthorized duplication or removal of confidential information.
3. (c) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to authorize the collection of data other than that described by Subsection (b)(1).

Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1088 (H.B. 3963), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.