By King H.B. No. 2859
74R2969 CLG-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the powers, duties, and name of the Texas Commission
1-3 for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. The heading of Chapter 81, Human Resources Code,
1-6 is amended to read as follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 81. TEXAS COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
1-8 SECTION 2. Section 81.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-9 to read as follows:
1-10 Sec. 81.001. Definitions. In this chapter:
1-11 (1) "Commission"<, "commission"> means the Texas
1-12 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>.
1-13 (2) "Deaf" means a hearing impairment of such severity
1-14 that an individual must depend on visual methods to communicate.
1-15 (3) "Hard of hearing" means a hearing impairment that
1-16 results in a loss of hearing function to an individual and in which
1-17 the individual:
1-18 (A) relies on residual hearing; and
1-19 (B) may depend on visual methods to communicate.
1-20 SECTION 3. Section 81.002, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-21 to read as follows:
1-22 Sec. 81.002. Texas Commission for the Deaf and HARD OF
1-23 Hearing <Impaired>. (a) The Texas Commission for the Deaf and
1-24 Hard of Hearing <Impaired> is composed of nine members appointed by
2-1 the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.
2-2 (b) Three members of the commission must be <deaf> persons
2-3 who are deaf or hard of hearing, two must be parents of <deaf>
2-4 persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, two must be professionals
2-5 serving persons who are deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>, and two
2-6 must be persons from the general public.
2-7 (c) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section,
2-8 appointments to the commission shall be made without regard to the
2-9 race, color, disability <handicap>, sex, religion, age, or national
2-10 origin of the appointees.
2-11 (d) An officer, employee, or paid consultant of an
2-12 association representing the interests of <deaf or
2-13 hearing-impaired> persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may not
2-14 be a member or employee of the commission, nor may a person who
2-15 cohabits with or is the spouse of an officer, managerial employee,
2-16 or paid consultant of an association representing the interests of
2-17 <deaf or hearing-impaired> persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
2-18 be a member of the commission or an employee of the commission
2-19 grade 17 and over, including exempt employees, according to the
2-20 position classification schedule under the General Appropriations
2-21 Act.
2-22 (e) A person who is required to register as a lobbyist under
2-23 Chapter 305, Government Code, by virtue of his activities for
2-24 compensation in or on behalf of a profession related to the
2-25 operation of the commission, may not serve as a member of the
2-26 commission or act as the general counsel to the commission.
2-27 (f) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of
3-1 the commission if the person or the person's spouse:
3-2 (1) is employed by or participates in the management
3-3 of a business entity or other organization regulated by the
3-4 commission or receiving funds from the commission;
3-5 (2) owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly,
3-6 more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
3-7 organization regulated by the commission or receiving funds from
3-8 the commission; or
3-9 (3) uses or receives a substantial amount of funds or
3-10 tangible goods from the commission.
3-11 SECTION 4. Section 81.004, Human Resources Code, is amended
3-12 to read as follows:
3-13 Sec. 81.004. Sunset Provision. The Texas Commission for the
3-14 Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired> is subject to Chapter 325,
3-15 Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless the commission is
3-16 continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission
3-17 is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 1999.
3-18 SECTION 5. Sections 81.005(b) and (d), Human Resources Code,
3-19 are amended to read as follows:
3-20 (b) The commission shall hold at least six meetings a year.
3-21 During at least one of those meetings, the commission shall receive
3-22 public comment on the operations of the commission and the concerns
3-23 of the deaf or hard of hearing community. The commission shall
3-24 develop and implement policies that will provide the public with a
3-25 reasonable opportunity to appear before the commission and to speak
3-26 on any issue under the jurisdiction of the commission.
3-27 (d) Members of the commission are not entitled to
4-1 compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement of <for> their
4-2 traveling <actual and necessary> expenses, as provided in the
4-3 General Appropriations Act <in attending meetings of the commission
4-4 and in carrying out official duties>.
4-5 SECTION 6. Sections 81.006(a), (b), and (g), Human Resources
4-6 Code, are amended to read as follows:
4-7 (a) The commission shall:
4-8 (1) develop and implement a statewide program of
4-9 advocacy and education to ensure continuity of services to persons
4-10 who are deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>;
4-11 (2) provide direct services to persons who are deaf or
4-12 hard of hearing <the deaf>, including interpreter services,
4-13 information and referral services, <message relay services,>
4-14 advocacy services, services to elderly persons who are deaf or hard
4-15 of hearing <deaf and hearing impaired>, and training in accessing
4-16 basic life skills <and job-seeking skills, and individual and
4-17 family counseling>;
4-18 (3) work to ensure more effective coordination and
4-19 cooperation among public and nonprofit organizations providing
4-20 social and educational services to <deaf> individuals who are deaf
4-21 or hard of hearing;
4-22 (4) maintain <establish> a registry of available
4-23 interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing by
4-24 updating the registry at least quarterly and making the registry
4-25 available to interested persons at cost <the deaf and a catalogue
4-26 of resources available for the needs of the deaf, both of which it
4-27 shall disseminate to interested people and update annually>;
5-1 (5) establish a system to approve and provide courses
5-2 and workshops for the instruction and continuing education of
5-3 interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; <the
5-4 deaf; and>
5-5 (6) annually review the schedule of fees recommended
5-6 by the commission for the payment of interpreters and, as a result
5-7 of the findings of the review and other relevant information, adopt
5-8 by rule a schedule of maximum allowable <reasonable> hourly fees to
5-9 be paid to interpreters with varied levels of skill by a state
5-10 agency, court, or a political subdivision of the state;
5-11 (7) assist institutions of higher education in
5-12 initiating training programs for interpreters and develop
5-13 guidelines for instruction to promote uniformity of signs taught
5-14 within those programs; and
5-15 (8) with the assistance of the Central Education
5-16 Agency, develop standards for evaluation of the programs described
5-17 by Subdivision (7).
5-18 (b) The commission may:
5-19 (1) appoint one or more advisory committees to consult
5-20 with and advise the commission <and may reimburse the members of an
5-21 advisory committee for the actual and necessary expenses incurred
5-22 in performing duties requested by the commission>;
5-23 (2) charge and collect authorized fees and accept
5-24 gifts, grants, and donations of money, personal property, or real
5-25 property for use in expanding and improving services to <deaf>
5-26 persons of this state who are deaf or hard of hearing;
5-27 (3) adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter;
6-1 <and>
6-2 (4) contract with or provide grants to agencies,
6-3 organizations, or individuals as necessary to implement this
6-4 chapter; and
6-5 (5) charge and collect a fee for training interpreters
6-6 in a reasonable amount to be set by the commission to defray the
6-7 cost of conducting the training.
6-8 (g) The commission shall establish and charge reasonable
6-9 fees for some or all commission publications to cover the
6-10 commission's publication costs. However, the commission shall
6-11 waive the fee if a <deaf> person who is deaf or hard of hearing is
6-12 financially unable to pay for the publication, and may waive the
6-13 fees for publications provided to certain entities. The commission
6-14 shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. The rules must
6-15 specify the standards used for determining ability to pay for a
6-16 publication and must specify the types of entities for which the
6-17 fees will be waived.
6-18 SECTION 7. Sections 81.007(a), (b), (d), (f), and (i), Human
6-19 Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:
6-20 (a) The commission may establish a program in accordance
6-21 with this section for the certification of interpreters who have
6-22 reached varying levels of proficiency in communication skills
6-23 necessary to communicate with <deaf and hearing-impaired>
6-24 individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
6-25 (b) The commission shall appoint a board of seven <five>
6-26 persons to administer the certification program.
6-27 (d) The commission shall use the recommendations of the
7-1 board in compiling a statewide registry of interpreters by skill
7-2 level. The registry must, in addition to other pertinent
7-3 information, include recommendations relating to the appropriate
7-4 selection and utilization of interpreters for individuals who are
7-5 deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>. The registry must be made
7-6 available to and recommended for adoption by state commissions,
7-7 departments, and agencies.
7-8 (f) The <Based on the board's recommendations, the>
7-9 commission may waive any certification requirement for an applicant
7-10 with a valid certificate from another state having certification
7-11 requirements substantially equivalent to those of this state.
7-12 (i) The commission <board> shall determine the frequency
7-13 with which it will conduct the interpreter examinations. The
7-14 commission <board> shall conduct the interpreter examinations:
7-15 (1) in Austin at the commission's office or in other
7-16 space owned or leased by the state that can be obtained free of
7-17 charge; or
7-18 (2) in other cities in this state in space that can be
7-19 obtained free of charge.
7-20 SECTION 8. Section 81.0072(a), Human Resources Code, is
7-21 amended to read as follows:
7-22 (a) The commission, on the recommendation of the Board for
7-23 Evaluation of Interpreters, shall revoke or suspend a certificate,
7-24 place on probation a person whose certificate has been suspended,
7-25 or reprimand an interpreter certified by the commission for a
7-26 violation of a rule of the commission. If a certificate suspension
7-27 is probated, the commission may require the practitioner:
8-1 (1) to report regularly to the commission on matters
8-2 that are the basis of the probation;
8-3 (2) to limit practice to those areas prescribed by the
8-4 commission; or
8-5 (3) to continue or renew professional education until
8-6 a satisfactory degree of skill has been attained in those areas
8-7 that are the basis of the probation.
8-8 SECTION 9. Section 81.013, Human Resources Code, is amended
8-9 to read as follows:
8-10 Sec. 81.013. PRIVATE OUTDOOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR <DEAF>
8-11 STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. (a) The commission may
8-12 contract with private entities to provide for the attendance of
8-13 <deaf> students who are deaf or hard of hearing at outdoor
8-14 recreational programs operated for the purpose of providing skill
8-15 training and recreational experiences for <deaf> children who are
8-16 deaf or hard of hearing or for <deaf> children who are deaf or hard
8-17 of hearing and their parents.
8-18 (b) In selecting students to attend programs under this
8-19 section, the commission shall select students from each regional
8-20 day school program for the deaf, students from the Texas School for
8-21 the Deaf, and other <deaf> children who are deaf or hard of hearing
8-22 that the commission thinks will benefit from the program.
8-23 SECTION 10. Section 81.016(a), Human Resources Code, is
8-24 amended to read as follows:
8-25 (a) Before the commission contracts with or provides a grant
8-26 to an agency, organization, or individual to provide direct
8-27 services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>, the
9-1 commission shall make reasonable efforts to notify all potential
9-2 service providers of the availability and purpose of the contract
9-3 or grant.
9-4 SECTION 11. Section 81.017(a), Human Resources Code, is
9-5 amended to read as follows:
9-6 (a) The commission and each of the following agencies shall
9-7 adopt by rule a memorandum of understanding to coordinate the
9-8 delivery of services to <deaf> persons who are deaf or hard of
9-9 hearing and to reduce duplication of services:
9-10 (1) the Texas Department of Human Services;
9-11 (2) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
9-12 Retardation;
9-13 (3) the Texas Employment Commission;
9-14 (4) the Texas Department of Health;
9-15 (5) the Coordinating Board, Texas College and
9-16 University System;
9-17 (6) the Central Education Agency;
9-18 (7) the Texas Department on Aging;
9-19 (8) the Texas School for the Deaf;
9-20 (9) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission;
9-21 (10) the institutional division of the Texas
9-22 Department of Criminal Justice <Texas Department of Corrections>;
9-23 and
9-24 (11) any other state agency involved in providing
9-25 services to <deaf> persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
9-26 SECTION 12. Sections 81.019(a) and (b), Human Resources
9-27 Code, are amended to read as follows:
10-1 (a) The commission shall design and provide for the issuance
10-2 of a symbol or other device that may be attached to a motor vehicle
10-3 regularly operated by a <hearing impaired> person who is deaf or
10-4 hard of hearing.
10-5 (b) A <hearing impaired> person who is deaf or hard of
10-6 hearing may apply to the commission for the symbol or other device.
10-7 The commission may require acceptable medical proof that a person
10-8 is deaf or hard of hearing <hearing impaired> and may set a fee,
10-9 not to exceed $2 for each device, to defray the costs of
10-10 administering this section.
10-11 SECTION 13. Section 21.006(a), Civil Practice and Remedies
10-12 Code, is amended to read as follows:
10-13 (a) The interpreter shall be paid a reasonable fee
10-14 determined by the court after considering the recommended fees of
10-15 the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>.
10-16 SECTION 14. Article 38.31(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
10-17 amended to read as follows:
10-18 (f) Interpreters appointed under this Article are entitled
10-19 to a reasonable fee determined by the court after considering the
10-20 recommendations of the Texas <State> Commission for the Deaf and
10-21 Hard of Hearing. When travel of the interpreter is involved all
10-22 the actual expenses of travel, lodging, and meals incurred by the
10-23 interpreter pertaining to the case he is appointed to serve shall
10-24 be paid at the same rate applicable to state employees.
10-25 SECTION 15. Sections 11.03(a) and (l), Education Code, are
10-26 amended to read as follows:
10-27 (a) The Texas School for the Deaf is governed by a
11-1 nine-member board appointed by the governor in accordance with this
11-2 section and confirmed by the senate. A person may not serve
11-3 simultaneously on the board and the Texas Commission for the Deaf
11-4 and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>. The board, five of whom must be
11-5 deaf, consists of:
11-6 (1) three persons who are deaf, one of whom must be an
11-7 alumnus of the Texas School for the Deaf;
11-8 (2) three persons who are parents of a deaf person,
11-9 one of whom must be deaf; and
11-10 (3) three persons who are experienced in working with
11-11 deaf persons, one of whom must be deaf.
11-12 (l) The executive director of the Texas Commission for the
11-13 Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired> or his representative serves as
11-14 a voting member of any policy and planning committee or task force
11-15 of the Texas School for the Deaf.
11-16 SECTION 16. Sections 54.205(b) and (c), Education Code, are
11-17 amended to read as follows:
11-18 (b) A deaf or blind person who is a resident is entitled to
11-19 exemption from the payment of tuition fees at any institution of
11-20 higher education utilizing public funds if he presents:
11-21 (1) certification that he is a "blind person" or a
11-22 "deaf person" as defined in Subsection (a) of this section by the
11-23 Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Commission for the Blind, or
11-24 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, as
11-25 appropriate, in a written statement, which certification is
11-26 considered conclusive;
11-27 (2) a written statement of purpose from the person
12-1 that indicates the certificate or degree program to be pursued or
12-2 the professional enhancement from the course of study for that
12-3 certificate or degree program;
12-4 (3) a high school diploma or its equivalent;
12-5 (4) a letter of recommendation from the principal of
12-6 the high school attended by the deaf or blind individual, a public
12-7 official, or some other responsible person who knows the deaf or
12-8 blind individual and is willing to serve as a reference; and
12-9 (5) proof that he meets all other entrance
12-10 requirements of the institution.
12-11 (c) The governing board of an institution may establish
12-12 special entrance requirements to fit the circumstances of deaf and
12-13 blind persons. The Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas
12-14 Commission for the Blind, the Texas Commission for the Deaf and
12-15 Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, and the Texas Higher Education
12-16 Coordinating Board may develop any rules and procedures that these
12-17 agencies determine necessary for the efficient implementation of
12-18 this section.
12-19 SECTION 17. Section 558.003(a), Government Code, is amended
12-20 to read as follows:
12-21 (a) In a proceeding before the governing body of a political
12-22 subdivision in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a
12-23 party are to be determined by the governing body after an
12-24 adjudicative hearing, the governing body shall supply for a party
12-25 who is deaf or hearing impaired an interpreter who has
12-26 qualifications approved by the Texas Commission for the Deaf and
12-27 Hard of Hearing <Impaired>.
13-1 SECTION 18. Section 2001.055(a), Government Code, is amended
13-2 to read as follows:
13-3 (a) In a contested case, a state agency shall provide an
13-4 interpreter whose qualifications are approved by the Texas
13-5 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired> to interpret
13-6 the proceedings for a party or subpoenaed witness who is deaf or
13-7 hearing impaired.
13-8 SECTION 19. Section 22.011(a), Human Resources Code, is
13-9 amended to read as follows:
13-10 (a) The department, the Texas Department of Health, the
13-11 Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas
13-12 Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the
13-13 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, and
13-14 the Central Education Agency shall adopt a joint memorandum of
13-15 understanding to facilitate the coordination of services to
13-16 disabled persons. The memorandum shall:
13-17 (1) clarify the financial and service responsibilities
13-18 of each agency in relation to disabled persons; and
13-19 (2) address how the agency will share data relating to
13-20 services delivered to disabled persons by each agency.
13-21 SECTION 20. Section 22.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
13-22 to read as follows:
13-23 Sec. 22.024. Development of Service Plan for Elderly or
13-24 Disabled. If the Texas Department of Human Services, Texas
13-25 Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Texas
13-26 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, Texas
13-27 Department on Aging, or another agency funded in the General
14-1 Appropriations Act under appropriations for health, welfare, and
14-2 rehabilitation agencies receives funds to provide case management
14-3 services to the elderly or disabled, the agency shall provide
14-4 information to its staff concerning the services other agencies
14-5 provide to those populations. The agency's staff shall use that
14-6 information to develop a comprehensive service plan for its
14-7 clients.
14-8 SECTION 21. Section 82.001(1), Human Resources Code, is
14-9 amended to read as follows:
14-10 (1) "Qualified interpreter" means a person employed as
14-11 an interpreter who holds a current certification issued by the
14-12 Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, or another current
14-13 certificate that the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
14-14 Hearing determines is comparable or appropriate and approves.
14-15 SECTION 22. Section 115.002(c), Human Resources Code, is
14-16 amended to read as follows:
14-17 (c) The ex officio members are:
14-18 (1) the chair of the Texas Employment Commission;
14-19 (2) the commissioner of the Texas Rehabilitation
14-20 Commission;
14-21 (3) the executive director of the Texas Commission for
14-22 the Blind;
14-23 (4) the executive director of the Texas Commission for
14-24 the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and
14-25 (5) other officials designated by the governor who
14-26 serve with other state agencies that provide services to persons
14-27 with disabilities.
15-1 SECTION 23. Section 36.015(b), Health and Safety Code, is
15-2 amended to read as follows:
15-3 (b) The committee is composed of nine members. The chief
15-4 administrative officer of each of the following agencies shall
15-5 appoint one member to the committee:
15-6 (1) Central Education Agency;
15-7 (2) Texas Commission for the Blind;
15-8 (3) Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
15-9 <Impaired>;
15-10 (4) Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
15-11 (5) Texas Department of Health;
15-12 (6) Texas Department of Human Services;
15-13 (7) Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
15-14 Retardation;
15-15 (8) Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired;
15-16 and
15-17 (9) Texas School for the Deaf.
15-18 SECTION 24. Section 85.017(b), Health and Safety Code, is
15-19 amended to read as follows:
15-20 (b) The council consists of one representative from each of
15-21 the following agencies appointed by the executive director or
15-22 commissioner of each agency:
15-23 (1) the department;
15-24 (2) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
15-25 Retardation;
15-26 (3) the Texas Department of Human Services;
15-27 (4) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
16-1 (5) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission;
16-2 (6) the Texas Youth Commission;
16-3 (7) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
16-4 (8) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission;
16-5 (9) the Texas Commission for the Blind;
16-6 (10) the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
16-7 Hearing <Impaired>;
16-8 (11) the Department of Protective and Regulatory
16-9 Services;
16-10 (12) the Central Education Agency;
16-11 (13) the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners;
16-12 (14) the Board of Nurse Examiners;
16-13 (15) the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners;
16-14 (16) the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners; and
16-15 (17) the Health and Human Services Commission.
16-16 SECTION 25. Section 85.113, Health and Safety Code, is
16-17 amended to read as follows:
16-18 Sec. 85.113. Workplace Guidelines for State Contractors. An
16-19 entity that contracts with or is funded by any of the following
16-20 state agencies to operate a program involving direct client contact
16-21 shall adopt and implement workplace guidelines similar to the
16-22 guidelines adopted by the agency that funds or contracts with the
16-23 entity:
16-24 (1) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
16-25 (2) the Texas Commission for the Blind;
16-26 (3) the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
16-27 Hearing;
17-1 (4) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission;
17-2 (5) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
17-3 (6) the Texas Youth Commission;
17-4 (7) the department;
17-5 (8) the Texas Department of Human Services;
17-6 (9) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
17-7 Retardation; and
17-8 (10) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission.
17-9 SECTION 26. Section 614.015, Health and Safety Code, is
17-10 amended to read as follows:
17-11 Sec. 614.015. Continuity of Care for Physically Disabled,
17-12 Terminally Ill, or Significantly Ill Offenders. (a) The Texas
17-13 Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Rehabilitation
17-14 Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the Texas
17-15 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, the Texas
17-16 Department of Health, and the Texas Department of Human Services by
17-17 rule shall adopt a memorandum of understanding that establishes
17-18 their respective responsibilities to institute a continuity of care
17-19 and service program for offenders in the criminal justice system
17-20 who are physically disabled, terminally ill, or significantly ill.
17-21 The council shall coordinate and monitor the development and
17-22 implementation of the memorandum of understanding.
17-23 (b) The memorandum of understanding must establish methods
17-24 for:
17-25 (1) identifying offenders in the criminal justice
17-26 system who are physically disabled, terminally ill, or
17-27 significantly ill;
18-1 (2) developing interagency rules, policies, and
18-2 procedures for the coordination of care of and the exchange of
18-3 information on offenders who are physically disabled, terminally
18-4 ill, or significantly ill by local and state criminal justice
18-5 agencies, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas
18-6 Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the
18-7 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, the
18-8 Texas Department of Health, and the Texas Department of Human
18-9 Services; and
18-10 (3) identifying the services needed by offenders who
18-11 are physically disabled, terminally ill, or significantly ill to
18-12 reenter the community successfully.
18-13 (c) The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas
18-14 Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the
18-15 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, the
18-16 Texas Department of Health, and the Texas Department of Human
18-17 Services shall:
18-18 (1) operate, with funds appropriated for that purpose,
18-19 the continuity of care and service program for offenders in the
18-20 criminal justice system who are physically disabled, terminally
18-21 ill, or significantly ill; and
18-22 (2) actively seek federal grants or funds to operate
18-23 and expand the program.
18-24 SECTION 27. Section 504.017, Labor Code, is amended to read
18-25 as follows:
18-26 Sec. 504.017. Federal and State Funded Transportation
18-27 Entities. An entity is eligible to participate under Section
19-1 504.016; Chapter 1084, Acts of the 70th Legislature, Regular
19-2 Session, 1987 (Article 715c, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); or
19-3 Chapter 791, Government Code, if the entity provides transportation
19-4 subsidized in whole or in part by and provided to clients of:
19-5 (1) the Texas Department on Aging;
19-6 (2) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
19-7 (3) the Texas Commission for the Blind;
19-8 (4) the Texas Cancer Council;
19-9 (5) the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
19-10 Hearing <Impaired>;
19-11 (6) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
19-12 Affairs;
19-13 (7) the Texas Department of Human Services;
19-14 (8) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
19-15 Retardation;
19-16 (9) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; or
19-17 (10) the Texas Youth Commission.
19-18 SECTION 28. The following provisions of the Human Resources
19-19 Code are repealed:
19-20 (1) Section 81.006(h);
19-21 (2) Section 81.0061;
19-22 (3) Section 81.007(j); and
19-23 (4) Section 81.011.
19-24 SECTION 29. The name of the Texas Commission for the Deaf
19-25 and Hearing Impaired is changed to the Texas Commission for the
19-26 Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Any reference in the law to the Texas
19-27 Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired means the Texas
20-1 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
20-2 SECTION 30. (a) Before using new stationery or other
20-3 supplies printed with the commission's name as changed by this Act,
20-4 the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired shall use
20-5 all stationery and other supplies that are printed with the
20-6 commission's former name and that are in its possession on the
20-7 effective date of this Act.
20-8 (b) An appropriation made to the Texas Commission for the
20-9 Deaf and Hearing Impaired is available to the commission under its
20-10 name as changed by this Act.
20-11 SECTION 31. This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
20-12 SECTION 32. The importance of this legislation and the
20-13 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
20-14 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
20-15 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
20-16 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.