86R6378 KFF-F
By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 4051
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities waiver
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.09731 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.09731. MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR CERTAIN
PROVIDERS UNDER DEAF-BLIND WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES WAIVER
PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum
reimbursement rates for interveners and orientation and mobility
specialists providing services under the deaf-blind with multiple
disabilities waiver program. The rates established under this
section must:
(1) take into account the provider's level of
training, education, and experience; and
(2) be adjusted annually for inflation.
SECTION 2. Section 161.078, Human Resources Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) The executive commissioner shall increase the number of
persons receiving home-based and community-based services under
the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities waiver program by:
(1) 50 for each of the state fiscal years ending August
31, 2020, and August 31, 2021; and
(2) for each subsequent state fiscal year beginning
with the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2022, 10 percent of the
number of recipients on the interest list for home-based and
community-based services under the deaf-blind with multiple
disabilities waiver program as determined on the first day of the
applicable state fiscal year and rounded to the nearest whole
number.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt the rules required under Section
531.09731, Government Code, as added by this Act, and ensure that
the minimum reimbursement rates established for interveners and
orientation and mobility specialists under the deaf-blind with
multiple disabilities waiver program are based on the most recent
full rate analysis conducted by the commission.
SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.