86R9277 JG-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1818
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a competitive and integrated employment initiative for
certain Medicaid recipients.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.02448 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.02448. COMPETITIVE AND INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT
INITIATIVE FOR CERTAIN MEDICAID RECIPIENTS. (a) This section
applies to an individual receiving services under the following
waiver programs established under Section 1915(c), Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)):
(1) the home and community-based services (HCS) waiver
program;
(2) the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program;
(3) the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities (DBMD)
waiver program;
(4) the community living assistance and support
services (CLASS) waiver program; and
(5) the STAR+PLUS home and community-based services
(HCBS) waiver program.
(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall develop a
process that complies with the policy adopted under Section
531.02447 to:
(1) assess the goals of and competitive and integrated
employment opportunities and related employment services available
to an individual to whom this section applies; and
(2) use the identified goals and available
opportunities and services to direct the individual's plan of care
at the time the plan is developed or renewed.
(c) The entity responsible for the development and renewal
of the plan of care for an individual to whom this section applies
shall use the process the executive commissioner develops to assess
the individual's goals, opportunities, and services described by
Subsection (b) and incorporate those goals, opportunities, and
services into the plan of care.
(d) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish
performance measures for the employment of individuals to whom this
section applies and who are seeking competitive and integrated
employment. The rules must ensure that:
(1) at least 20 percent of those individuals are
receiving employment services by December 31, 2021; and
(2) each individual to whom this section applies and
who indicates a desire to work is referred to receive employment
services from the Texas Workforce Commission or through the waiver
program in which the individual is enrolled.
(e) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year,
the executive commissioner shall prepare and submit to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the legislature a written report that
outlines:
(1) the number of individuals to whom this section
applies who are receiving employment services in accordance with
rules adopted under this section; and
(2) the number of individuals to whom this section
applies who have obtained competitive and integrated employment,
categorized by waiver program and, if applicable, the individual's
level of care.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt rules as necessary to implement
Section 531.02448, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Section 531.02448(e),
Government Code, as added by this Act, the executive commissioner
of the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit the first
report required by that section not later than December 31, 2022.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.