84R1773 GRM-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 38
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creation of an employment-first task force advisory
committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.02449 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.02449. EMPLOYMENT-FIRST TASK FORCE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(2) "Task force" means the interagency
employment-first task force established under Section 531.02448.
(b) The task force shall establish an advisory committee to
make recommendations for increasing and expanding postsecondary
educational opportunities and access for individuals with
intellectual or developmental disabilities.
(c) The presiding officer of the task force, after
consulting with the task force, shall name the members of the
advisory committee. The advisory committee:
(1) may not:
(A) consist of more than 11 members; or
(B) include members of the task force; and
(2) must at least include the following members:
(A) an individual with an intellectual or
developmental disability;
(B) a family member of an individual with an
intellectual or developmental disability;
(C) an advocate for individuals with
intellectual or developmental disabilities;
(D) a representative of the Texas Council for
Developmental Disabilities;
(E) a representative of the Department of
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services;
(F) a representative of the Department of Aging
and Disability Services;
(G) a representative of the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board;
(H) a representative of the Texas Workforce
Commission;
(I) a representative of the Texas Education
Agency; and
(J) a representative of an institution of higher
education.
(d) A member of the advisory committee serves at the will of
the task force.
(e) The advisory committee shall elect a presiding officer
of the committee.
(f) The advisory committee established under this section
shall:
(1) set appropriate outcomes and goals;
(2) survey institutions of higher education for:
(A) programs that serve individuals with
intellectual or developmental disabilities; and
(B) plans to provide or interest in providing
those programs;
(3) research existing programs in and model programs
outside this state;
(4) propose expansion options for existing programs or
the implementation of new programs, including potential funding
options for those programs;
(5) determine regional deficiencies;
(6) leverage existing private and nonprofit efforts
and partnerships;
(7) periodically make recommendations to the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board and institutions of higher
education regarding action the entities should take to increase
postsecondary opportunities and access for individuals with
intellectual or developmental disabilities; and
(8) make recommendations on legislative policy
changes affecting postsecondary education for individuals with
intellectual or developmental disabilities.
(g) Not later than September 1, 2016, the advisory committee
shall prepare and submit to the office of the governor, the
legislature, and the executive commissioner a report regarding the
committee's findings and recommendations.
(h) A member of the advisory committee established under
this section is not entitled to compensation. Members may be
reimbursed for expenses as follows:
(1) a member described by Subsection (c)(2)(A), (B),
or (C) is entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary
expenses as provided in the General Appropriations Act; and
(2) a member appointed as a representative of a state
agency is eligible for reimbursement for travel and other necessary
expenses according to the applicable agency's policies.
(i) The commission and the health and human services
agencies shall provide administrative support and staff to the
advisory committee established under this section.
(j) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2016, the presiding
officer of the employment-first task force shall appoint the
members of the advisory committee under Section 531.02449,
Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2015.