89R4201 RAL-D
By: Lalani H.B. No. 1541
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study and
make recommendations on services provided to individuals with an
intellectual or developmental disability.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 547, Government Code, as effective April
1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D-1. INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sec. 547.0191. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "advisory
committee" means the intellectual and developmental disability
services and supports advisory committee established under this
subchapter.
Sec. 547.0192. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The
commission shall establish the intellectual and developmental
disability services and supports advisory committee to:
(1) conduct a study identifying and evaluating gaps in
access to acute and long-term care services and supports for
individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability; and
(2) provide to the legislature recommendations to
address those gaps in access.
Sec. 547.0193. ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS. (a) The
executive commissioner shall appoint relevant stakeholders to
serve as advisory committee members, including:
(1) representatives of the commission;
(2) representatives of the Department of State Health
Services;
(3) representatives of the Private Providers
Association of Texas;
(4) representatives of local intellectual and
developmental disability authorities;
(5) representatives of intellectual and developmental
disability advocacy organizations;
(6) persons with expertise on intellectual and
developmental disability services and supports;
(7) representatives of long-term services and
supports providers;
(8) representatives of managed care organizations;
(9) individuals with an intellectual or developmental
disability who receive services or supports; and
(10) parents or other family members of individuals
with an intellectual or developmental disability who receive
services or supports.
(b) The executive commissioner shall appoint an advisory
committee member to serve as the advisory committee's presiding
officer.
(c) The executive commissioner shall fill a vacancy that
occurs on the advisory committee in the same manner as the original
appointment as soon as practicable but not later than the 60th day
after the date the vacancy occurs.
Sec. 547.0194. EXPENSES. An advisory committee member is
not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for
actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing advisory
committee duties. The advisory committee may accept gifts, grants,
and donations to pay for those expenses.
Sec. 547.0195. MEETINGS. (a) The advisory committee shall
meet at least quarterly.
(b) The advisory committee may conduct meetings in person or
remotely.
Sec. 547.0196. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission
shall provide administrative support for the advisory committee
using existing resources.
Sec. 547.0197. STUDY; BIENNIAL REPORT. (a) The advisory
committee shall:
(1) evaluate the adequacy of state and federal funding
for acute and long-term care services and supports for individuals
with an intellectual or developmental disability;
(2) evaluate the financial sustainability of current
service delivery models;
(3) evaluate the availability and capacity of trained
professionals, caregivers, and support staff necessary to deliver
services for individuals with an intellectual or developmental
disability;
(4) identify best practices and innovative models used
in and outside this state for services provided to individuals with
an intellectual or developmental disability;
(5) evaluate the quality of current services provided
in this state to individuals with an intellectual or developmental
disability;
(6) evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to
promote health, education, employment, and community inclusion for
individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability;
(7) identify factors that contribute to mental health
conditions affecting individuals with an intellectual or
developmental disability;
(8) evaluate public safety net services, including the
role, functions, and capacity of local intellectual and
developmental disability authorities to coordinate services and
supports to meet the needs of individuals with an intellectual or
developmental disability; and
(9) review and identify areas for improvement to the
Texas Statewide Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Strategic Plan developed by the IDD Strategic Planning Group.
(b) Not later than August 31 of each even-numbered year, the
advisory committee shall prepare and submit to the legislature and
each standing committee of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over intellectual and developmental disability issues
a written report that includes:
(1) a summary of the results of the advisory
committee's findings under Subsection (a);
(2) recommendations to address gaps in access to acute
and long-term care services and supports for individuals with an
intellectual or developmental disability;
(3) recommendations for legislative or administrative
action, including legislation or rules, to implement the advisory
committee's recommendations;
(4) a complete explanation of each of the advisory
committee's recommendations; and
(5) suggested timelines for implementing each of the
advisory committee's recommendations.
Sec. 547.0198. EXPIRATION. (a) Not later than December 1,
2028, the commission shall prepare and submit to the legislature a
report that contains a recommendation on whether the advisory
committee should be continued or abolished.
(b) The advisory committee is abolished and this subchapter
expires September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act but not later than December 1, 2025, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
appoint members to the intellectual and developmental disability
services and supports advisory committee as required by Section
547.0193, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.