By: Lopez of Bexar H.B. No. 428
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate the housing
needs of senior citizens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, or questioning.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "task force" means the task
force established under this section.
(b) The task force is established to evaluate the housing
needs of senior citizens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, or questioning and to develop potential housing
solutions to address those needs and provide to those senior
citizens safe, affordable housing options. In conducting the
evaluation, the task force shall assess the evolving housing needs
of senior citizens who may need to transition into a long-term care
facility, including an assisted living facility or a nursing
facility.
(c) The task force is composed of the following 10 members:
(1) the chair of the LGBTQ caucus of the house of
representatives, to serve as presiding officer of the task force;
(2) three members appointed by the governor;
(3) three members appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(4) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.
(d) In making the appointments under Subsection (c) of this
section, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives shall each:
(1) seek input from appropriately qualified
organizations and stakeholders, including the Coalition for Aging
LGBT and Equality Texas; and
(2) appoint:
(A) an appropriately qualified individual who is
a representative of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer,
or questioning community;
(B) an individual with appropriate expertise on
issues faced by the aging population, which may be a representative
of the Coalition for Aging LGBT, assisted living facilities, or
nursing facilities; and
(C) an individual with appropriate expertise in
the area of public safety and housing, which may be a representative
of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
(e) The governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives shall each make the appointments required
by Subsection (c) of this section not later than November 1, 2023.
(f) The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding
officer. The task force may meet in person or by electronic means.
(g) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
service on the task force but may be reimbursed for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in performing task force duties. The
task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to pay for those
expenses.
(h) Not later than September 1, 2024, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
legislature, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs a written report summarizing the results of the evaluation
conducted under Subsection (b) of this section and proposing
potential housing solutions, including any legislative
recommendations.
(i) The task force is abolished and this Act expires
December 1, 2024.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.