By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1576
(In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2013; March 19, 2013, read
first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
April 22, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; April 22, 2013,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1576 By: Zaffirini
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report of issues affecting persons with
disabilities at state agencies and postsecondary educational
institutions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 115, Human Resources Code, is amended by
adding Section 115.0095 to read as follows:
Sec. 115.0095. STUDY REGARDING ACCESSIBILITY OF STATE
AGENCY AND HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES AND INFORMATION. (a) In
this section, "postsecondary educational institution" means an
institution of higher education or a private or independent
institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by
Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) The committee, in collaboration with the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and the Department of Information
Resources, shall conduct a study to identify difficulties persons
with disabilities are encountering at state agencies and
postsecondary educational institutions that receive state or
federal funds.
(c) The study must include an evaluation of the
accessibility of resources and information, whether printed or
electronic, including:
(1) materials provided by a state agency or
postsecondary educational institution; and
(2) with regard to a postsecondary educational
institution, learning and content management software used by the
institution and information and resources provided by student
organizations of the institution.
(d) The committee shall include the results of the study and
any recommendations for legislative or administrative action in the
report submitted to the governor and the legislature under Section
115.009(3) before December 31, 2014.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2015.
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, 2013.
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