Cook Bill Adds A Disability Council Without Power Over Services

The text as introduced · 667 words

By: Cook
S.B. No. 2896

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the statewide intellectual and developmental

disability coordinating council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter M-2 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER M-2. STATEWIDE INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL

DISABILITY COORDINATING COUNCIL

Sec. 531.491. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "council"

means the statewide intellectual and developmental disability

coordinating council.

Sec. 531.492. PURPOSE. The council is established to

ensure this state develops a strategic approach for the provision

of intellectual and developmental disability services in this

state.

Sec. 531.493. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. (a) The council is

composed of the following members:

(1) subject to Subsection (b), one or more

representatives designated by each of the following entities:

(A) the Department of State Health Services;

(B) the Department of Family and Protective

Services;

(C) the Texas Workforce Commission;

(D) the Texas Education Agency;

(E) the Texas Center for Disability Studies at

The University of Texas at Austin;

(F) the Center on Disability and Development at

Texas A&M University;

(G) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and

(H) the Commission on Jail Standards; and

(2) the following members appointed by the executive

commissioner:

(A) a representative of a local intellectual and

developmental disability authority as defined by Section 531.002,

Health and Safety Code;

(B) a representative of the Governor's Committee

on People with Disabilities;

(C) a representative of the Texas Council for

Developmental Disabilities;

(D) a representative of the Arc of Texas;

(E) a representative of a managed care

organization;

(F) a provider of Medicaid long-term services and

supports;

(G) a person or family member of an individual

with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(H) a representative of the commission's office

of the ombudsman;

(I) representatives of the commission, with one

representative appointed from each division of the commission with

responsibility for:

(i) Medicaid and the Children's Health

Insurance Program services;

(ii) intellectual and developmental

disability behavioral health services;

(iii) health and specialty care system

employment;

(iv) health, developmental, and

independence services; and

(v) access and eligibility services; and

(J) any additional members as the executive

commissioner determines appropriate who are recognized experts

serving individuals with intellectual and developmental

disabilities or who represent the interests of individuals with

intellectual and developmental disabilities.

(b) The executive commissioner shall determine the number

of representatives that each entity may designate under Subsection

(a)(1) to serve on the council.

(c) The council may authorize another state agency or

institution that provides specific intellectual and developmental

disability services with the use of money appropriated by this

state to designate a representative to the council.

(d) A council member serves at the pleasure of the

designating entity.

Sec. 531.494. PRESIDING OFFICER. The executive

commissioner shall designate a member of the council to serve as the

presiding officer.

Sec. 531.495. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least

once quarterly or more frequently at the call of the presiding

officer.

Sec. 531.496. DUTIES. The council:

(1) shall develop and monitor the implementation of a

five-year statewide intellectual and developmental disability

strategic plan;

(2) shall develop a biennial coordinated statewide

intellectual and developmental disability expenditure proposal;

(3) shall annually publish an updated inventory of

state-funded intellectual and developmental disability programs

and services that includes:

(A) a description of the manner in which those

programs and services further the purpose of the statewide

intellectual and developmental disability strategic plan; and

(B) an estimate of the number of individuals

waiting for or interested in receiving those programs and services;

and

(4) may facilitate opportunities to increase

collaboration for the effective expenditure of available federal

and state funds for intellectual and developmental disability

services in this state.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2023.