H.B. No. 1574
AN ACT
relating to services for persons with autism and other pervasive
developmental disorders and their families.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 114, Human Resources Code, is amended by
adding Section 114.013 to read as follows:
Sec. 114.013. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS RESOURCE CENTER.
(a) The Health and Human Services Commission shall establish and
administer an autism spectrum disorders resource center to
coordinate resources for individuals with autism and other
pervasive developmental disorders and their families. In
establishing and administering the center, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall consult with the council and coordinate
with appropriate state agencies, including each agency represented
on the council.
(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall design
the center to:
(1) collect and distribute information and research
regarding autism and other pervasive developmental disorders;
(2) conduct training and development activities for
persons who may interact with an individual with autism or another
pervasive developmental disorder in the course of their employment,
including school, medical, or law enforcement personnel;
(3) coordinate with local entities that provide
services to an individual with autism or another pervasive
developmental disorder; and
(4) provide support for families affected by autism
and other pervasive developmental disorders.
SECTION 2. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health
and Human Services Commission shall conduct a study to determine
the costs and benefits to this state of initiating a pilot program
to provide services to adult persons with autism and other related
disabilities with similar support needs.
(b) The study will determine the costs and benefits of a
pilot program based on a program designed to:
(1) encourage sustainable employment and community
integration through specialized supports coordination, case
management, vocational assessment, training, and support to
increase job skills and competitive employment opportunities;
(2) develop meaningful community-based activities for
persons for whom competitive employment is not a goal;
(3) promote continued individual development and
avoid regression;
(4) promote self-determination and independence;
(5) coordinate services and behavioral supports
across all areas of need; and
(6) allow for flexible funding and for a flexible
array of services to meet individual needs.
(c) In conducting the study, the executive commissioner of
the Health and Human Services Commission shall:
(1) define and describe a pilot program with a
seamless system of supports to provide:
(A) options for independent living, if
appropriate;
(B) community-based housing, if needed; and
(C) individualized supports, including:
(i) prevocational training;
(ii) employment training; and
(iii) leisure and recreational activities;
(2) research and analyze best practices and programs
from other states that may serve as pilot program models;
(3) consult with and solicit feedback from key
stakeholders, including advocacy organizations, potential service
recipients, and parents;
(4) address the barriers that may prevent adults with
autism or other related disabilities with similar support needs
from living in their local community including:
(A) housing needs and living arrangements;
(B) behavioral services;
(C) social and communication services and
supports;
(D) transportation issues; and
(E) health and medical care;
(5) identify the existence and cause of service gaps
in this state;
(6) develop recommendations and determine costs
associated with eliminating service gaps;
(7) identify the potential benefit to persons who
would receive services from the pilot program; and
(8) identify potential federal sources of funding for
a pilot program.
(d) Not later than September 1, 2010, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
submit a report of the findings and conclusions of the study to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing
committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary
jurisdiction over the provision of services to persons with
disabilities.
(e) The report required under Subsection (d) of this section
must include:
(1) a recommendation for the structure of a pilot
program;
(2) a recommendation on the choice of an appropriate
agency to design and administer a pilot program;
(3) an estimation of the number of persons who may
benefit from a pilot program if a program similar to the pilot
program were instituted statewide;
(4) an estimation of the potential costs of the pilot
program and whether the pilot program may lead to savings;
(5) a method of determining which persons would be
eligible to participate in the pilot program; and
(6) which Medicaid waiver programs are appropriate to
the pilot program and whether new Medicaid waiver programs may be
required.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1574 was passed by the House on April
22, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1574 was passed by the Senate on May
14, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor