Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1653 Compare Versions

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

Old	New	Differences
1	1	89R960 KKR-F
2	2	By: Hughes S.B. No. 1653
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7	7	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8	AN ACT
9	9	relating to the provision of certain co-navigation services to
10	10	individuals who are deaf-blind.
11	11	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
12	12	SECTION 1. Section 81.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
13	13	by adding Subdivision (1) to read as follows:
14	14	(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
15	15	Commission.
16	16	SECTION 2. Chapter 81, Human Resources Code, is amended by
17	17	adding Section 81.014 to read as follows:
18	18	Sec. 81.014. CO-NAVIGATION SERVICES PROGRAM FOR
19	19	INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND. (a) In this section:
20	20	(1) "Communication mode" includes communication
21	21	through:
22	22	(A) auditory amplification, such as through a
23	23	personal hearing aid or assistive listening device;
24	24	(B) American Sign Language or Signed English by
25	25	both tactile and visual means; and
26	26	(C) protactile language.
27	27	(2) "Co-navigation services" means services provided
28	28	to an individual who is deaf-blind that assist the individual to
29	29	physically access the individual's environment and to make informed
30	30	decisions. The term includes providing visual and environmental
31	31	information or sighted guide services and assisting with
32	32	communication accessibility by communicating in the preferred
33	33	language and communication mode of the individual who is
34	34	deaf-blind. The term does not include performing any of the
35	35	following for the individual:
36	36	(A) providing personal care services to the
37	37	individual;
38	38	(B) completing ordinary errands for the
39	39	individual;
40	40	(C) making decisions for the individual;
41	41	(D) teaching or otherwise instructing the
42	42	individual; or
43	43	(E) interpreting for the individual in a formal
44	44	setting, including a medical, legal, or business setting.
45	45	(3) "Co-navigator" means a person who is specially
46	46	trained to provide co-navigation services.
47	47	(4) "Program" means the deaf-blind co-navigation
48	48	services program.
49	49	(5) "Protactile language" means a method of
50	50	communication based on touch that is used by individuals who are
51	51	deaf-blind.
52	52	(b) The commission shall operate a statewide co-navigation
53	53	services program through which:
54	54	(1) co-navigation services are provided by
55	55	co-navigators; and
56	56	(2) the commission reimburses the co-navigators for
57	57	the provision of the services.
58	58	(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish
59	59	reimbursement rates to be paid to a co-navigator under the program.
60	60	The reimbursement rates must use a tiered wage scale that is based
61	61	on the co-navigator's:
62	62	(1) level of training in communication modes for
63	63	individuals who are deaf-blind and in sighted guide-mobility
64	64	techniques; and
65	65	(2) fluency and skill in communication modes and
66	66	sighted guide-mobility for individuals who are deaf-blind.
67	67	(d) The commission shall ensure that quality co-navigation
68	68	services are provided under the program by:
69	69	(1) monitoring the compliance of co-navigators with
70	70	program rules;
71	71	(2) developing funding sources for the program that
72	72	are in addition to state sources and will reduce reliance on the
73	73	state sources for continuation of the program; and
74	74	(3) providing funding and technical assistance for
75	75	training programs for:
76	76	(A) co-navigators under the program; and
77	77	(B) individuals who are deaf-blind to enable
78	78	those individuals to effectively use the services offered under the
79	79	program.
80	80	(e) The executive commissioner may establish an advisory
81	81	committee to advise the commission in developing and operating the
82	82	program, including operating the program in a manner that ensures
83	83	the efficient use of state money. Subject to Section 2110.002,
84	84	Government Code, the executive commissioner shall determine the
85	85	number of members serving on the advisory committee, which must
86	86	include individuals who are deaf-blind and other stakeholders.
87	87	(f) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary
88	88	to:
89	89	(1) operate the program in a manner that is efficient
90	90	and maximizes the number of individuals served; and
91	91	(2) ensure that co-navigators receiving reimbursement
92	92	under the program have adequate training to provide co-navigation
93	93	services.
94	94	SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2026:
95	95	(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
96	96	Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
97	97	Section 81.014, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act; and
98	98	(2) the commission shall begin operating the program
99	99	required by that section.
100	100	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.