85R2284 DDT-D     By: Israel H.B. No. 568       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to authority for certain state employees to work flexible   hours and to work from home or other authorized alternative work   sites.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 658.006, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 658.006.  VARIED [STAGGERED] WORKING HOURS.  (a)     Normal working hours for employees of a state agency may be   staggered for traffic regulation or public safety.          (b)  An employee who works from an alternative work site as   part of a policy approved under Section 658.010 may, with the   approval of the employee's supervisor, complete all or part of the   employee's work hours, not including compensatory time and   overtime, at times other than the regular working hours established   under Section 658.005.          SECTION 2.  Section 658.010, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to   read as follows:          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the [The]   employee's personal residence may not be considered the employee's   regular or assigned temporary place of employment without prior   written authorization from the administrative head of the employing   state agency.          (c)  The administrative head of a state agency may adopt an   agency policy that authorizes the supervisor of an employee of the   agency to permit the employee to work from an alternative work site,   including the employee's residence, as the employee's regular or   assigned temporary place of employment.          (d)  A policy adopted under Subsection (c) must:                (1)  identify factors the state agency will consider in   evaluating whether a position is suitable for an alternative work   site, including whether:                      (A)  the position requires on-site resources;                      (B)  the provision of in-person service is   essential to the position; and                      (C)  in-person interaction is essential to the   position;                 (2)  require an employee who will work from an   alternative work site to enter into an agreement with the state   agency that establishes the employee's responsibilities and the   requirements for communicating with and reporting to the agency;   and                (3)  provide for the revocation of an employee's   permission to work from an alternative work site if:                      (A)  the position is no longer suitable for an   alternative work site based on the factors identified under   Subdivision (1); or                      (B)  the employee violates the agreement entered   into under Subdivision (2).          (e)  Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year,   the Department of Information Resources shall compile and submit a   report to the legislature providing information about policies   adopted under Subsection (c). The Texas A&M Transportation   Institute may assist in creating the report. The report must   include:                (1)  a list of state agencies that have adopted a   policy;                (2)  a description of the requirements of each agency's   policy;                (3)  an estimate of the number of employees who work   from an alternative work site as permitted under a policy;                (4)  an assessment of the productivity, efficiency, and   value to taxpayers of employees working from an alternative work   site as permitted under a policy;                (5)  an assessment regarding the collective effect of   agency policies on traffic congestion; and                (6)  any other information the Department of   Information Resources determines to be relevant and beneficial.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.