84R25888 GCB-F
By: Simmons, Farney H.B. No. 3282
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3282:
By: Aycock C.S.H.B. No. 3282
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the coordination of, communication of best practices
concerning, and collection of information pertaining to the
provision of evidence-based behavioral services for students with
autism spectrum disorder in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter P to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER P. AUTISM SERVICES
Sec. 61.781. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "autism
program" means:
(1) a public entity that provides evidence-based
behavioral services, including applied behavior analysis services
for children with autism spectrum disorder; and
(2) an autism research center at a public or private
institution of higher education that provides evidence-based
behavioral services, including applied behavior analysis services
for children with autism spectrum disorder, under a grant contract
with the board.
Sec. 61.782. COORDINATION OF SERVICES; COMMUNICATION ON
BEST PRACTICES. (a) The board shall ensure communication and
coordination among the board, autism programs, school districts,
the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and other
state agencies providing evidence-based behavioral services to
children with autism spectrum disorder in this state regarding best
practices for delivering those services.
(b) An autism program, a school district, the Department of
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, or another state agency that
provides evidence-based behavioral services to children with
autism spectrum disorder in this state shall comply with a request
for information concerning the provision of those services made by
the board for the purpose of complying with this subchapter.
Sec. 61.783. STATEWIDE AUTISM DATABASE; REPORT. (a) The
board shall maintain a statewide autism database of information
regarding the number of children served through each autism program
and through each state agency providing evidence-based behavioral
services to children with autism spectrum disorder in this state,
the effectiveness of those programs and services, statewide best
practices for the delivery of those programs and services, and the
identification of underserved regions of the state with regard to
those programs and services.
(b) Annually, the board shall submit to the legislature a
report on the information maintained in the database.
(c) The board may not include in the database personal
information of any kind pertaining to a child receiving services
from an autism program or a state agency or pertaining to the
child's family.
(d) The board shall make the database readily accessible
online.
Sec. 61.784. RULES. The board shall adopt rules as
necessary for the administration of this subchapter.
SECTION 2. SELECT COMMITTEES ON AUTISM SERVICES. (a) Not
later than November 30, 2015:
(1) the speaker of the house of representatives shall
appoint to a House Select Committee on Statewide Coordination of
Autism Services seven members with one member designated as chair;
and
(2) the lieutenant governor shall appoint to a Senate
Select Committee on Statewide Coordination of Autism Services five
members with one member designated as chair.
(b) The committees established under this section may meet
separately at the call of the chair of the committee or jointly at
the call of both chairs. In joint meetings, the chairs shall act as
joint chairs.
(c) The committees established under this section, meeting
separately or jointly, shall review, study, and evaluate:
(1) autism service programs in other states;
(2) university programs in this state that provide
autism treatment and services;
(3) community agencies and organizations that provide
applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services;
(4) ways to improve communication and coordination
among entities providing autism services across the state;
(5) areas of the state that are most underserved with
regard to autism services; and
(6) ways to provide autism services to more children.
(d) Following consideration of the factors described by
Subsection (c) of this section, the committees established under
this section shall jointly adopt recommendations related to the
reviewed topics and shall provide a written report to the
legislature of the committees' recommendations for legislative or
other action not later than January 13, 2017.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.