88R1531 EAS-F

By: Rose H.B. No. 729

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the statewide intellectual and developmental disability coordinating council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter M-2 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER M-2. STATEWIDE INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL

DISABILITY COORDINATING COUNCIL

Sec. 531.491. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "council" means the statewide intellectual and developmental disability coordinating council.

Sec. 531.492. PURPOSE. The council is established to ensure this state develops a strategic approach for the provision of intellectual and developmental disability services in this state.

Sec. 531.493. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. (a) The council is composed of the following members:

(1) subject to Subsection (b), one or more representatives designated by each of the following entities:

(A) the Department of State Health Services;

(B) the Department of Family and Protective Services;

(C) the Texas Workforce Commission;

(D) the Texas Education Agency;

(E) the Texas Center for Disability Studies at The University of Texas at Austin;

(F) the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University;

(G) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and

(H) the Commission on Jail Standards; and

(2) the following members appointed by the executive commissioner:

(A) a representative of a local intellectual and developmental disability authority as defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code;

(B) a representative of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities;

(C) a representative of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities;

(D) a representative of the Arc of Texas;

(E) a representative of a managed care organization;

(F) a provider of Medicaid long-term services and supports;

(G) a person or family member of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(H) a representative of the commission's office of the ombudsman;

(I) representatives of the commission, with one representative appointed from each division of the commission with responsibility for:

(i) Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program services;

(ii) intellectual and developmental disability behavioral health services;

(iii) health and specialty care system employment;

(iv) health, developmental, and independence services; and

(v) access and eligibility services; and

(J) any additional members as the executive commissioner determines appropriate who are recognized experts serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or who represent the interests of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

(b) The executive commissioner shall determine the number of representatives that each entity may designate under Subsection (a)(1) to serve on the council.

(c) The council may authorize another state agency or institution that provides specific intellectual and developmental disability services with the use of money appropriated by this state to designate a representative to the council.

(d) A council member serves at the pleasure of the designating entity.

Sec. 531.494. PRESIDING OFFICER. The executive commissioner shall designate a member of the council to serve as the presiding officer.

Sec. 531.495. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least once quarterly or more frequently at the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 531.496. DUTIES. The council:

(1) shall develop and monitor the implementation of a five-year statewide intellectual and developmental disability strategic plan;

(2) shall develop a biennial coordinated statewide intellectual and developmental disability expenditure proposal;

(3) shall annually publish an updated inventory of state-funded intellectual and developmental disability programs and services that includes:

(A) a description of the manner in which those programs and services further the purpose of the statewide intellectual and developmental disability strategic plan; and

(B) an estimate of the number of individuals waiting for or interested in receiving those programs and services; and

(4) may facilitate opportunities to increase collaboration for the effective expenditure of available federal and state funds for intellectual and developmental disability services in this state.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.