Lalani Bill Creates Committee To Study Disability Service Gaps

The text as introduced · 871 words

90R3891 RAL-D

By: Lalani
H.B. No. 604

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study and

make recommendations on services and supports provided to

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 547, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D-1. INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY

SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sec. 547.0191. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "advisory

committee" means the intellectual and developmental disability

services and supports advisory committee established under this

subchapter.

Sec. 547.0192. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The

commission shall establish the intellectual and developmental

disability services and supports advisory committee to:

(1) conduct a study identifying and evaluating gaps in

access to acute and long-term care services and supports for

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability; and

(2) provide to the legislature recommendations to

address those gaps in access.

Sec. 547.0193. ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS. (a) The

executive commissioner shall appoint relevant stakeholders to

serve as advisory committee members, including:

(1) representatives of the commission;

(2) representatives of the Department of State Health

Services;

(3) representatives of the Private Providers

Association of Texas;

(4) representatives of local intellectual and

developmental disability authorities;

(5) representatives of intellectual and developmental

disability advocacy organizations;

(6) persons with expertise on intellectual and

developmental disability services and supports;

(7) representatives of long-term services and

supports providers;

(8) representatives of managed care organizations;

(9) individuals with an intellectual or developmental

disability who receive services or supports; and

(10) parents or other family members of individuals

with an intellectual or developmental disability who receive

services or supports.

(b) The executive commissioner shall appoint an advisory

committee member to serve as the advisory committee's presiding

officer.

(c) The executive commissioner shall fill a vacancy that

occurs on the advisory committee in the same manner as the original

appointment as soon as practicable but not later than the 60th day

after the date the vacancy occurs.

Sec. 547.0194. EXPENSES. An advisory committee member is

not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for

actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing advisory

committee duties. The advisory committee may accept gifts, grants,

and donations to pay for those expenses.

Sec. 547.0195. MEETINGS. (a) The advisory committee shall

meet at least quarterly.

(b) The advisory committee may conduct meetings in person or

remotely.

Sec. 547.0196. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission

shall provide administrative support for the advisory committee

using existing resources.

Sec. 547.0197. STUDY; BIENNIAL REPORT. (a) The advisory

committee shall:

(1) evaluate the adequacy of state and federal funding

for acute and long-term care services and supports for individuals

with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(2) evaluate the financial sustainability of current

service delivery models;

(3) evaluate the availability and capacity of trained

professionals, caregivers, and support staff necessary to deliver

services and supports for individuals with an intellectual or

developmental disability;

(4) identify best practices and innovative models used

in and outside this state for services and supports provided to

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(5) evaluate the quality of current services and

supports provided in this state to individuals with an intellectual

or developmental disability;

(6) evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to

promote health, education, employment, and community inclusion for

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(7) identify factors that contribute to mental health

conditions affecting individuals with an intellectual or

developmental disability;

(8) evaluate public safety net services, including the

role, functions, and capacity of local intellectual and

developmental disability authorities to coordinate services and

supports to meet the needs of individuals with an intellectual or

developmental disability; and

(9) review and identify areas for improvement to the

Texas Statewide Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Strategic Plan developed by the IDD Strategic Planning Group.

(b) Not later than August 31 of each even-numbered year, the

advisory committee shall prepare and submit to the legislature and

each standing committee of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over intellectual and developmental disability issues

a written report that includes:

(1) a summary of the results of the advisory

committee's findings under Subsection (a);

(2) recommendations to address gaps in access to acute

and long-term care services and supports for individuals with an

intellectual or developmental disability;

(3) recommendations for legislative or administrative

action, including legislation or rules, to implement the advisory

committee's recommendations;

(4) a complete explanation of each of the advisory

committee's recommendations; and

(5) suggested timelines for implementing each of the

advisory committee's recommendations.

Sec. 547.0198. EXPIRATION. (a) Not later than December 1,

2030, the commission shall prepare and submit to the legislature a

report that contains a recommendation on whether the advisory

committee should be continued or abolished.

(b) The advisory committee is abolished and this subchapter

expires September 1, 2031.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act but not later than December 1, 2027, the executive

commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall

appoint members to the intellectual and developmental disability

services and supports advisory committee as required by Section

547.0193, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.