Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1715 Compare Versions

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

Old	New	Differences
1	1	87R7214 BDP-F
2	2	By: Hughes S.B. No. 1715
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to the provision of certain co-navigation services to
8	8	persons 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. CO-NAVIGATION SERVICES PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WHO
17	17	ARE 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 by
23	23	both tactile and visual means; and
24	24	(C) protactile language.
25	25	(2) "Co-navigation services" means services provided
26	26	to a person who is deaf-blind that assist the person to physically
27	27	access the person's environment and to make informed decisions. The
28	28	term includes providing visual and environmental information or
29	29	sighted guide services and assisting with communication
30	30	accessibility by communicating in the preferred language and
31	31	communication mode of the person who is deaf-blind. The term does
32	32	not include performing any of the following for the 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) "Co-navigator" means a person who is specially
42	42	trained to provide co-navigation services.
43	43	(4) "Program" means the deaf-blind co-navigation
44	44	services program.
45	45	(5) "Protactile language" means a method of
46	46	communication based on touch that is used by persons who are
47	47	deaf-blind.
48	48	(b) The commission shall operate a statewide co-navigation
49	49	services program through which:
50	50	(1) co-navigation services are provided by
51	51	co-navigators; and
52	52	(2) the commission reimburses the co-navigators for
53	53	the provision of the services.
54	54	(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish
55	55	reimbursement rates to be paid to a co-navigator under the program.
56	56	The reimbursement rates must use a tiered wage scale that is based
57	57	on the co-navigator's:
58	58	(1) level of training in communication modes for
59	59	persons who are deaf-blind and in sighted guide-mobility
60	60	techniques; and
61	61	(2) fluency and skill in communication modes and
62	62	sighted guide-mobility for persons who are deaf-blind.
63	63	(d) The commission shall ensure that quality co-navigation
64	64	services are provided under the program by:
65	65	(1) monitoring the compliance of co-navigators with
66	66	program rules;
67	67	(2) developing funding sources for the program that
68	68	are in addition to state sources and will reduce reliance on the
69	69	state sources for continuation of the program; and
70	70	(3) providing funding and technical assistance for
71	71	training programs for:
72	72	(A) co-navigators under the program; and
73	73	(B) persons who are deaf-blind to enable those
74	74	persons to effectively use the services offered under the program.
75	75	(e) The executive commissioner may establish an advisory
76	76	committee to advise the commission in developing and operating the
77	77	program, including operating the program in a manner that ensures
78	78	the efficient use of state money. Subject to Section 2110.002,
79	79	Government Code, the executive commissioner shall determine the
80	80	number of members serving on the advisory committee, which must
81	81	include persons who are deaf-blind and other stakeholders.
82	82	(f) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary
83	83	to:
84	84	(1) operate the program in a manner that is efficient
85	85	and maximizes the number of persons served; and
86	86	(2) ensure that co-navigators receiving reimbursement
87	87	under the program have adequate training to provide co-navigation
88	88	services.
89	89	SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2022:
90	90	(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
91	91	Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
92	92	Section 81.014, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act; and
93	93	(2) the commission shall begin operating the program
94	94	required by that section.
95	95	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.