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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an education and training program for certain public |
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transportation vehicle operators on interacting with and |
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supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental |
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disabilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 451, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 451.114 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 451.114. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM ON |
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INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: |
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CERTAIN AUTHORITIES. (a) This section applies only to an authority |
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created before 1980 in which the principal municipality has a |
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population of less than 1.9 million. |
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(b) An authority shall establish an education and training |
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program on interacting with and supporting individuals with |
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intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals |
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with autism spectrum disorder, for employees of the authority who |
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operate vehicles used to provide public transportation services for |
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the authority. The program must include instruction relating to: |
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(1) identifying and communicating with individuals |
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with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including |
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individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and |
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(2) assisting an individual with an intellectual or |
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developmental disability, including an individual with an autism |
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spectrum disorder, to safely enter and exit a vehicle used to |
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provide public transportation services. |
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(c) An authority, or a person with whom the authority |
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contracts, may not allow an employee to operate a vehicle used to |
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provide public transportation services for the authority unless the |
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employee has completed the training program established by the |
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authority under this section. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than March 1, 2026, a rapid transit |
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authority shall establish the training program required by Section |
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451.114, Transportation Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
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section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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(b) Section 451.114(c), Transportation Code, as added by |
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this Act, takes effect September 1, 2026. |