Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB704 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	86R8550 KLA-F
2	2	By: Watson S.B. No. 704
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to the provision of certain support services to persons
8	8	who are deaf-blind.
9	9	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
10	10	SECTION 1. Section 81.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
11	11	by adding Subdivision (1) to read as follows:
12	12	(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
13	13	Commission.
14	14	SECTION 2. Chapter 81, Human Resources Code, is amended by
15	15	adding Section 81.014 to read as follows:
16	16	Sec. 81.014. SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WHO ARE
17	17	DEAF-BLIND. (a) In this section:
18	18	(1) "Communication mode" includes communication
19	19	through:
20	20	(A) auditory amplification, such as through a
21	21	personal hearing aid or assistive listening device;
22	22	(B) American Sign Language or Signed English; and
23	23	(C) tactile American Sign Language.
24	24	(2) "Deaf-blind support services" means services
25	25	provided to a person who is deaf-blind that assist the person with
26	26	accessing the person's environment and allow the person to make
27	27	informed decisions. The term includes providing visual and
28	28	environmental information or sighted guide services and assisting
29	29	with communication accessibility by communicating in the preferred
30	30	language and communication mode of the person who is deaf-blind.
31	31	The term does not include performing any of the following for the
32	32	person:
33	33	(A) providing personal care services to the
34	34	person;
35	35	(B) completing ordinary errands for the person;
36	36	(C) making decisions for the person;
37	37	(D) teaching or otherwise instructing the
38	38	person; or
39	39	(E) interpreting for the person in a formal
40	40	setting, including a medical, legal, or business setting.
41	41	(3) "Program" means the deaf-blind support services
42	42	program.
43	43	(4) "Provider of deaf-blind support services" means a
44	44	person who is specially trained to provide deaf-blind support
45	45	services.
46	46	(b) The commission shall operate a statewide deaf-blind
47	47	support services program through which:
48	48	(1) deaf-blind support services are provided by
49	49	providers of deaf-blind support services; and
50	50	(2) the commission reimburses the providers for the
51	51	provision of the services.
52	52	(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish
53	53	reimbursement rates to be paid to a provider of deaf-blind support
54	54	services under the program. The reimbursement rates must use a
55	55	tiered wage scale that is based on the provider's:
56	56	(1) level of training in communication modes for
57	57	persons who are deaf-blind and in sighted guide-mobility
58	58	techniques; and
59	59	(2) fluency in communication modes for persons who are
60	60	deaf-blind.
61	61	(d) The commission shall ensure that quality deaf-blind
62	62	support services are provided under the program by:
63	63	(1) monitoring the compliance of providers of
64	64	deaf-blind support services with program rules;
65	65	(2) developing funding sources for the program that
66	66	are in addition to state sources and will reduce reliance on the
67	67	state sources for continuation of the program; and
68	68	(3) providing funding and technical assistance for
69	69	training programs for:
70	70	(A) providers of deaf-blind support services
71	71	under the program; and
72	72	(B) persons who are deaf-blind to enable those
73	73	persons to effectively use the services offered under the program.
74	74	(e) The executive commissioner may establish an advisory
75	75	committee to advise the commission in developing and operating the
76	76	program, including operating the program in a manner that ensures
77	77	the efficient use of state money. Subject to Section 2110.002,
78	78	Government Code, the executive commissioner shall determine the
79	79	number of members serving on the advisory committee, which must
80	80	include persons who are deaf-blind and other stakeholders.
81	81	(f) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary
82	82	to:
83	83	(1) operate the program in a manner that is efficient
84	84	and maximizes the number of persons served; and
85	85	(2) ensure that providers of deaf-blind support
86	86	services receiving reimbursement under the program have adequate
87	87	training to provide those services.
88	88	SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2020:
89	89	(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
90	90	Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
91	91	Section 81.014, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act; and
92	92	(2) the commission shall begin operating the program
93	93	required by that section.
94	94	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.