Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2114 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	2009S0678-1 03/11/09
2	2	By: Lucio S.B. No. 2114
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to studying the costs and benefits of a pilot program for
8	8	employment and community integration services for adults with
9	9	autism and other developmental disabilities.
10	10	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
11	11	SECTION 1. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health
12	12	and Human Services Commission shall conduct a study to determine
13	13	the costs and benefits to this state of initiating a pilot program
14	14	to provide comprehensive, integrated community services to adult
15	15	persons with autism or other developmental disabilities. The
16	16	intent of the pilot program is to:
17	17	(1) encourage sustainable employment and community
18	18	integration through specialized case management, vocational
19	19	assessment, training, and support to increase job skills and
20	20	competitive employment opportunities;
21	21	(2) develop meaningful community-based activities for
22	22	those for whom competitive employment is not a goal;
23	23	(3) promote continued individual development and
24	24	avoid regression;
25	25	(4) promote self-determination and independence;
26	26	(5) coordinate services and support across all areas
27	27	of need; and
28	28	(6) allow for flexibility in funding and in the array
29	29	of services provided to meet individual needs.
30	30	(b) In conjunction with the study performed under
31	31	Subsection (a) of this section, the Health and Human Services
32	32	Commission may contract with an outside entity to develop a pilot
33	33	plan that includes:
34	34	(1) the design of the pilot program;
35	35	(2) the project work plan;
36	36	(3) the estimated budget; and
37	37	(4) the timelines of the project.
38	38	(c) A contract entered into by the agency with an outside
39	39	entity as provided in Subsection (b) of this section may not exceed
40	40	500 hours of service and must comply with all applicable state laws
41	41	governing contracting with state agencies.
42	42	(d) In developing the pilot plan under this section, the
43	43	Health and Human Services Commission or contract entity shall:
44	44	(1) define and describe a seamless system of supports
45	45	providing options for community-based housing, if needed, leisure
46	46	or recreational activities, prevocational training, and employment
47	47	support, and independent living support and training;
48	48	(2) document best practices and programs in other
49	49	states that can be used as models;
50	50	(3) consult with key stakeholders, including advocacy
51	51	organizations, potential service recipients, and parents, and
52	52	collect relevant feedback;
53	53	(4) address housing needs, living arrangements,
54	54	transportation issues, health or medical care issues, and other
55	55	potential barriers that currently prevent individuals from living
56	56	in the community;
57	57	(5) document services gaps in Texas and their causes;
58	58	(6) develop recommendations and project associated
59	59	costs for closing services gaps;
60	60	(7) identify the potential benefit to participants in
61	61	the pilot program; and
62	62	(8) identify any additional federal funds that could
63	63	be leveraged to support the program.
64	64	(e) When selecting a contract entity under Subsection (b) of
65	65	this section, the Health and Human Services Commission shall select
66	66	an individual or organization that has:
67	67	(1) a successful track record of reforming or
68	68	establishing and operating community-based services for the full
69	69	spectrum of adults with autism and other developmental
70	70	disabilities;
71	71	(2) expertise in Medicaid waiver program development
72	72	and other funding sources; or
73	73	(3) a demonstrated history of working effectively with
74	74	large state agencies.
75	75	SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2011, the executive
76	76	commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
77	77	submit a report of the findings and conclusions of the study
78	78	relating to the creation of a pilot program under Section 1 of this
79	79	Act to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
80	80	house of representatives, and the presiding officers of the
81	81	standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with
82	82	primary jurisdiction over the provision of services to persons with
83	83	disabilities. The report shall include:
84	84	(1) recommendations relating to the structure of the
85	85	pilot program;
86	86	(2) the target service population;
87	87	(3) the method of determining eligibility;
88	88	(4) the potential cost and related savings;
89	89	(5) the potential number of persons the pilot program
90	90	may serve if implemented statewide;
91	91	(6) which agency or agencies are appropriate to design
92	92	or administer the pilot program; and
93	93	(7) which Medicaid waiver programs are appropriate to
94	94	the pilot program or whether a new Medicaid waiver may be required.
95	95	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
96	96	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
97	97	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
98	98	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
99	99	Act takes effect September 1, 2009.