1-1 By: King (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 2859
1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 15, 1995;
1-3 May 18, 1995, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
1-4 and Human Services; May 23, 1995, reported favorably by the
1-5 following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 23, 1995, sent to printer.)
1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-7 AN ACT
1-8 relating to the powers, duties, and name of the Texas Commission
1-9 for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.
1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-11 SECTION 1. The heading of Chapter 81, Human Resources Code,
1-12 is amended to read as follows:
1-13 CHAPTER 81. TEXAS COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
1-14 SECTION 2. Section 81.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-15 to read as follows:
1-16 Sec. 81.001. Definitions. In this chapter:
1-17 (1) "Commission"<, "commission"> means the Texas
1-18 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>.
1-19 (2) "Deaf" means a hearing impairment of such severity
1-20 that an individual must depend on visual methods to communicate.
1-21 (3) "Hard of hearing" means a hearing impairment that
1-22 results in a loss of hearing function to an individual and in which
1-23 the individual:
1-24 (A) relies on residual hearing; and
1-25 (B) may depend on visual methods to communicate.
1-26 SECTION 3. Section 81.002, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-27 to read as follows:
1-28 Sec. 81.002. Texas Commission for the Deaf and HARD OF
1-29 Hearing <Impaired>. (a) The Texas Commission for the Deaf and
1-30 Hard of Hearing <Impaired> is composed of nine members appointed by
1-31 the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.
1-32 (b) Three members of the commission must be <deaf> persons
1-33 who are deaf or hard of hearing, two must be parents of <deaf>
1-34 persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, two must be professionals
1-35 serving persons who are deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>, and two
1-36 must be persons from the general public. A majority of the members
1-37 shall be deaf.
1-38 (c) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section,
1-39 appointments to the commission shall be made without regard to the
1-40 race, color, disability <handicap>, sex, religion, age, or national
1-41 origin of the appointees.
1-42 (d) An officer, employee, or paid consultant of an
1-43 association representing the interests of <deaf or
1-44 hearing-impaired> persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may not
1-45 be a member or employee of the commission, nor may a person who
1-46 cohabits with or is the spouse of an officer, managerial employee,
1-47 or paid consultant of an association representing the interests of
1-48 <deaf or hearing-impaired> persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
1-49 be a member of the commission or an employee of the commission
1-50 grade 17 and over, including exempt employees, according to the
1-51 position classification schedule under the General Appropriations
1-52 Act.
1-53 (e) A person who is required to register as a lobbyist under
1-54 Chapter 305, Government Code, by virtue of his activities for
1-55 compensation in or on behalf of a profession related to the
1-56 operation of the commission, may not serve as a member of the
1-57 commission or act as the general counsel to the commission.
1-58 (f) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of
1-59 the commission if the person or the person's spouse:
1-60 (1) is employed by or participates in the management
1-61 of a business entity or other organization regulated by the
1-62 commission or receiving funds from the commission;
1-63 (2) owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly,
1-64 more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
1-65 organization regulated by the commission or receiving funds from
1-66 the commission; or
1-67 (3) uses or receives a substantial amount of funds or
1-68 tangible goods from the commission.
2-1 SECTION 4. Section 81.004, Human Resources Code, is amended
2-2 to read as follows:
2-3 Sec. 81.004. Sunset Provision. The Texas Commission for the
2-4 Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired> is subject to Chapter 325,
2-5 Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless the commission is
2-6 continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission
2-7 is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 1999.
2-8 SECTION 5. Sections 81.005(b) and (d), Human Resources Code,
2-9 are amended to read as follows:
2-10 (b) The commission shall hold at least six meetings a year.
2-11 During at least one of those meetings, the commission shall receive
2-12 public comment on the operations of the commission and the concerns
2-13 of the deaf or hard of hearing community. The commission shall
2-14 develop and implement policies that will provide the public with a
2-15 reasonable opportunity to appear before the commission and to speak
2-16 on any issue under the jurisdiction of the commission.
2-17 (d) Members of the commission are not entitled to
2-18 compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement of <for> their
2-19 traveling <actual and necessary> expenses, as provided in the
2-20 General Appropriations Act <in attending meetings of the commission
2-21 and in carrying out official duties>.
2-22 SECTION 6. Sections 81.006(a), (b), and (g), Human Resources
2-23 Code, are amended to read as follows:
2-24 (a) The commission shall:
2-25 (1) develop and implement a statewide program of
2-26 advocacy and education to ensure continuity of services to persons
2-27 who are deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>;
2-28 (2) provide direct services to persons who are deaf or
2-29 hard of hearing <the deaf>, including interpreter services,
2-30 information and referral services, <message relay services,>
2-31 advocacy services, services to elderly persons who are deaf or hard
2-32 of hearing <deaf and hearing impaired>, and training in accessing
2-33 basic life skills <and job-seeking skills, and individual and
2-34 family counseling>;
2-35 (3) work to ensure more effective coordination and
2-36 cooperation among public and nonprofit organizations providing
2-37 social and educational services to <deaf> individuals who are deaf
2-38 or hard of hearing;
2-39 (4) maintain <establish> a registry of available
2-40 interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing by
2-41 updating the registry at least quarterly and making the registry
2-42 available to interested persons at cost <the deaf and a catalogue
2-43 of resources available for the needs of the deaf, both of which it
2-44 shall disseminate to interested people and update annually>;
2-45 (5) establish a system to approve and provide courses
2-46 and workshops for the instruction and continuing education of
2-47 interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; <the
2-48 deaf; and>
2-49 (6) annually review the schedule of fees recommended
2-50 by the commission for the payment of interpreters and, as a result
2-51 of the findings of the review and other relevant information, adopt
2-52 by rule a schedule of maximum allowable <reasonable> hourly fees to
2-53 be paid to interpreters with varied levels of skill by a state
2-54 agency, court, or a political subdivision of the state;
2-55 (7) assist institutions of higher education in
2-56 initiating training programs for interpreters and develop
2-57 guidelines for instruction to promote uniformity of signs taught
2-58 within those programs; and
2-59 (8) with the assistance of the Central Education
2-60 Agency, develop standards for evaluation of the programs described
2-61 by Subdivision (7).
2-62 (b) The commission may:
2-63 (1) appoint one or more advisory committees to consult
2-64 with and advise the commission <and may reimburse the members of an
2-65 advisory committee for the actual and necessary expenses incurred
2-66 in performing duties requested by the commission>;
2-67 (2) charge and collect authorized fees and accept
2-68 gifts, grants, and donations of money, personal property, or real
2-69 property for use in expanding and improving services to <deaf>
2-70 persons of this state who are deaf or hard of hearing;
3-1 (3) adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter;
3-2 <and>
3-3 (4) contract with or provide grants to agencies,
3-4 organizations, or individuals as necessary to implement this
3-5 chapter; and
3-6 (5) charge and collect a fee for training interpreters
3-7 in a reasonable amount to be set by the commission to defray the
3-8 cost of conducting the training.
3-9 (g) The commission shall establish and charge reasonable
3-10 fees for some or all commission publications to cover the
3-11 commission's publication costs. However, the commission shall
3-12 waive the fee if a <deaf> person who is deaf or hard of hearing is
3-13 financially unable to pay for the publication, and may waive the
3-14 fees for publications provided to certain entities. The commission
3-15 shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. The rules must
3-16 specify the standards used for determining ability to pay for a
3-17 publication and must specify the types of entities for which the
3-18 fees will be waived.
3-19 SECTION 7. Sections 81.007(a), (b), (d), (f), and (i), Human
3-20 Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:
3-21 (a) The commission may establish a program in accordance
3-22 with this section for the certification of interpreters who have
3-23 reached varying levels of proficiency in communication skills
3-24 necessary to communicate with <deaf and hearing-impaired>
3-25 individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
3-26 (b) The commission shall appoint a board of seven <five>
3-27 persons to administer the certification program.
3-28 (d) The commission shall use the recommendations of the
3-29 board in compiling a statewide registry of interpreters by skill
3-30 level. The registry must, in addition to other pertinent
3-31 information, include recommendations relating to the appropriate
3-32 selection and utilization of interpreters for individuals who are
3-33 deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>. The registry must be made
3-34 available to and recommended for adoption by state commissions,
3-35 departments, and agencies.
3-36 (f) The <Based on the board's recommendations, the>
3-37 commission may waive any certification requirement for an applicant
3-38 with a valid certificate from another state having certification
3-39 requirements substantially equivalent to those of this state.
3-40 (i) The commission <board> shall determine the frequency
3-41 with which it will conduct the interpreter examinations. The
3-42 commission <board> shall conduct the interpreter examinations:
3-43 (1) in Austin at the commission's office or in other
3-44 space owned or leased by the state that can be obtained free of
3-45 charge; or
3-46 (2) in other cities in this state in space that can be
3-47 obtained free of charge.
3-48 SECTION 8. Section 81.0072(a), Human Resources Code, is
3-49 amended to read as follows:
3-50 (a) The commission, on the recommendation of the Board for
3-51 Evaluation of Interpreters, shall revoke or suspend a certificate,
3-52 place on probation a person whose certificate has been suspended,
3-53 or reprimand an interpreter certified by the commission for a
3-54 violation of a rule of the commission. If a certificate suspension
3-55 is probated, the commission may require the practitioner:
3-56 (1) to report regularly to the commission on matters
3-57 that are the basis of the probation;
3-58 (2) to limit practice to those areas prescribed by the
3-59 commission; or
3-60 (3) to continue or renew professional education until
3-61 a satisfactory degree of skill has been attained in those areas
3-62 that are the basis of the probation.
3-63 SECTION 9. Section 81.013, Human Resources Code, is amended
3-64 to read as follows:
3-65 Sec. 81.013. PRIVATE OUTDOOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR <DEAF>
3-66 STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING. (a) The commission may
3-67 contract with private entities to provide for the attendance of
3-68 <deaf> students who are deaf or hard of hearing at outdoor
3-69 recreational programs operated for the purpose of providing skill
3-70 training and recreational experiences for <deaf> children who are
4-1 deaf or hard of hearing or for <deaf> children who are deaf or hard
4-2 of hearing and their parents.
4-3 (b) In selecting students to attend programs under this
4-4 section, the commission shall select students from each regional
4-5 day school program for the deaf, students from the Texas School for
4-6 the Deaf, and other <deaf> children who are deaf or hard of hearing
4-7 that the commission thinks will benefit from the program.
4-8 SECTION 10. Section 81.016(a), Human Resources Code, is
4-9 amended to read as follows:
4-10 (a) Before the commission contracts with or provides a grant
4-11 to an agency, organization, or individual to provide direct
4-12 services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing <the deaf>, the
4-13 commission shall make reasonable efforts to notify all potential
4-14 service providers of the availability and purpose of the contract
4-15 or grant.
4-16 SECTION 11. Section 81.017(a), Human Resources Code, is
4-17 amended to read as follows:
4-18 (a) The commission and each of the following agencies shall
4-19 adopt by rule a memorandum of understanding to coordinate the
4-20 delivery of services to <deaf> persons who are deaf or hard of
4-21 hearing and to reduce duplication of services:
4-22 (1) the Texas Department of Human Services;
4-23 (2) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
4-24 Retardation;
4-25 (3) the Texas Employment Commission;
4-26 (4) the Texas Department of Health;
4-27 (5) the Coordinating Board, Texas College and
4-28 University System;
4-29 (6) the Central Education Agency;
4-30 (7) the Texas Department on Aging;
4-31 (8) the Texas School for the Deaf;
4-32 (9) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission;
4-33 (10) the institutional division of the Texas
4-34 Department of Criminal Justice <Texas Department of Corrections>;
4-35 and
4-36 (11) any other state agency involved in providing
4-37 services to <deaf> persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
4-38 SECTION 12. Sections 81.019(a) and (b), Human Resources
4-39 Code, are amended to read as follows:
4-40 (a) The commission shall design and provide for the issuance
4-41 of a symbol or other device that may be attached to a motor vehicle
4-42 regularly operated by a <hearing impaired> person who is deaf or
4-43 hard of hearing.
4-44 (b) A <hearing impaired> person who is deaf or hard of
4-45 hearing may apply to the commission for the symbol or other device.
4-46 The commission may require acceptable medical proof that a person
4-47 is deaf or hard of hearing <hearing impaired> and may set a fee,
4-48 not to exceed $2 for each device, to defray the costs of
4-49 administering this section.
4-50 SECTION 13. Section 21.006(a), Civil Practice and Remedies
4-51 Code, is amended to read as follows:
4-52 (a) The interpreter shall be paid a reasonable fee
4-53 determined by the court after considering the recommended fees of
4-54 the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>.
4-55 SECTION 14. Article 38.31(f), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
4-56 amended to read as follows:
4-57 (f) Interpreters appointed under this Article are entitled
4-58 to a reasonable fee determined by the court after considering the
4-59 recommendations of the Texas <State> Commission for the Deaf and
4-60 Hard of Hearing. When travel of the interpreter is involved all
4-61 the actual expenses of travel, lodging, and meals incurred by the
4-62 interpreter pertaining to the case he is appointed to serve shall
4-63 be paid at the same rate applicable to state employees.
4-64 SECTION 15. Sections 11.03(a) and (l), Education Code, are
4-65 amended to read as follows:
4-66 (a) The Texas School for the Deaf is governed by a
4-67 nine-member board appointed by the governor in accordance with this
4-68 section and confirmed by the senate. A person may not serve
4-69 simultaneously on the board and the Texas Commission for the Deaf
4-70 and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>. The board, five of whom must be
5-1 deaf, consists of:
5-2 (1) three persons who are deaf, one of whom must be an
5-3 alumnus of the Texas School for the Deaf;
5-4 (2) three persons who are parents of a deaf person,
5-5 one of whom must be deaf; and
5-6 (3) three persons who are experienced in working with
5-7 deaf persons, one of whom must be deaf.
5-8 (l) The executive director of the Texas Commission for the
5-9 Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired> or his representative serves as
5-10 a voting member of any policy and planning committee or task force
5-11 of the Texas School for the Deaf.
5-12 SECTION 16. Sections 54.205(b) and (c), Education Code, are
5-13 amended to read as follows:
5-14 (b) A deaf or blind person who is a resident is entitled to
5-15 exemption from the payment of tuition fees at any institution of
5-16 higher education utilizing public funds if he presents:
5-17 (1) certification that he is a "blind person" or a
5-18 "deaf person" as defined in Subsection (a) of this section by the
5-19 Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Commission for the Blind, or
5-20 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, as
5-21 appropriate, in a written statement, which certification is
5-22 considered conclusive;
5-23 (2) a written statement of purpose from the person
5-24 that indicates the certificate or degree program to be pursued or
5-25 the professional enhancement from the course of study for that
5-26 certificate or degree program;
5-27 (3) a high school diploma or its equivalent;
5-28 (4) a letter of recommendation from the principal of
5-29 the high school attended by the deaf or blind individual, a public
5-30 official, or some other responsible person who knows the deaf or
5-31 blind individual and is willing to serve as a reference; and
5-32 (5) proof that he meets all other entrance
5-33 requirements of the institution.
5-34 (c) The governing board of an institution may establish
5-35 special entrance requirements to fit the circumstances of deaf and
5-36 blind persons. The Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas
5-37 Commission for the Blind, the Texas Commission for the Deaf and
5-38 Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, and the Texas Higher Education
5-39 Coordinating Board may develop any rules and procedures that these
5-40 agencies determine necessary for the efficient implementation of
5-41 this section.
5-42 SECTION 17. Section 558.003(a), Government Code, is amended
5-43 to read as follows:
5-44 (a) In a proceeding before the governing body of a political
5-45 subdivision in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a
5-46 party are to be determined by the governing body after an
5-47 adjudicative hearing, the governing body shall supply for a party
5-48 who is deaf or hearing impaired an interpreter who has
5-49 qualifications approved by the Texas Commission for the Deaf and
5-50 Hard of Hearing <Impaired>.
5-51 SECTION 18. Section 2001.055(a), Government Code, is amended
5-52 to read as follows:
5-53 (a) In a contested case, a state agency shall provide an
5-54 interpreter whose qualifications are approved by the Texas
5-55 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired> to interpret
5-56 the proceedings for a party or subpoenaed witness who is deaf or
5-57 hearing impaired.
5-58 SECTION 19. Section 22.011(a), Human Resources Code, is
5-59 amended to read as follows:
5-60 (a) The department, the Texas Department of Health, the
5-61 Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas
5-62 Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the
5-63 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, and
5-64 the Central Education Agency shall adopt a joint memorandum of
5-65 understanding to facilitate the coordination of services to
5-66 disabled persons. The memorandum shall:
5-67 (1) clarify the financial and service responsibilities
5-68 of each agency in relation to disabled persons; and
5-69 (2) address how the agency will share data relating to
5-70 services delivered to disabled persons by each agency.
6-1 SECTION 20. Section 22.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
6-2 to read as follows:
6-3 Sec. 22.024. Development of Service Plan for Elderly or
6-4 Disabled. If the Texas Department of Human Services, Texas
6-5 Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Texas
6-6 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, Texas
6-7 Department on Aging, or another agency funded in the General
6-8 Appropriations Act under appropriations for health, welfare, and
6-9 rehabilitation agencies receives funds to provide case management
6-10 services to the elderly or disabled, the agency shall provide
6-11 information to its staff concerning the services other agencies
6-12 provide to those populations. The agency's staff shall use that
6-13 information to develop a comprehensive service plan for its
6-14 clients.
6-15 SECTION 21. Section 82.001(1), Human Resources Code, is
6-16 amended to read as follows:
6-17 (1) "Qualified interpreter" means a person employed as
6-18 an interpreter who holds a current certification issued by the
6-19 Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, or another current
6-20 certificate that the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
6-21 Hearing determines is comparable or appropriate and approves.
6-22 SECTION 22. Section 115.002(c), Human Resources Code, is
6-23 amended to read as follows:
6-24 (c) The ex officio members are:
6-25 (1) the chair of the Texas Employment Commission;
6-26 (2) the commissioner of the Texas Rehabilitation
6-27 Commission;
6-28 (3) the executive director of the Texas Commission for
6-29 the Blind;
6-30 (4) the executive director of the Texas Commission for
6-31 the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and
6-32 (5) other officials designated by the governor who
6-33 serve with other state agencies that provide services to persons
6-34 with disabilities.
6-35 SECTION 23. Section 36.015(b), Health and Safety Code, is
6-36 amended to read as follows:
6-37 (b) The committee is composed of nine members. The chief
6-38 administrative officer of each of the following agencies shall
6-39 appoint one member to the committee:
6-40 (1) Central Education Agency;
6-41 (2) Texas Commission for the Blind;
6-42 (3) Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
6-43 <Impaired>;
6-44 (4) Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
6-45 (5) Texas Department of Health;
6-46 (6) Texas Department of Human Services;
6-47 (7) Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
6-48 Retardation;
6-49 (8) Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired;
6-50 and
6-51 (9) Texas School for the Deaf.
6-52 SECTION 24. Section 85.017(b), Health and Safety Code, is
6-53 amended to read as follows:
6-54 (b) The council consists of one representative from each of
6-55 the following agencies appointed by the executive director or
6-56 commissioner of each agency:
6-57 (1) the department;
6-58 (2) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
6-59 Retardation;
6-60 (3) the Texas Department of Human Services;
6-61 (4) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
6-62 (5) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission;
6-63 (6) the Texas Youth Commission;
6-64 (7) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
6-65 (8) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission;
6-66 (9) the Texas Commission for the Blind;
6-67 (10) the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
6-68 Hearing <Impaired>;
6-69 (11) the Department of Protective and Regulatory
6-70 Services;
7-1 (12) the Central Education Agency;
7-2 (13) the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners;
7-3 (14) the Board of Nurse Examiners;
7-4 (15) the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners;
7-5 (16) the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners; and
7-6 (17) the Health and Human Services Commission.
7-7 SECTION 25. Section 85.113, Health and Safety Code, is
7-8 amended to read as follows:
7-9 Sec. 85.113. Workplace Guidelines for State Contractors. An
7-10 entity that contracts with or is funded by any of the following
7-11 state agencies to operate a program involving direct client contact
7-12 shall adopt and implement workplace guidelines similar to the
7-13 guidelines adopted by the agency that funds or contracts with the
7-14 entity:
7-15 (1) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
7-16 (2) the Texas Commission for the Blind;
7-17 (3) the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
7-18 Hearing;
7-19 (4) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission;
7-20 (5) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
7-21 (6) the Texas Youth Commission;
7-22 (7) the department;
7-23 (8) the Texas Department of Human Services;
7-24 (9) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
7-25 Retardation; and
7-26 (10) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission.
7-27 SECTION 26. Section 614.015, Health and Safety Code, is
7-28 amended to read as follows:
7-29 Sec. 614.015. Continuity of Care for Physically Disabled,
7-30 Terminally Ill, or Significantly Ill Offenders. (a) The Texas
7-31 Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Rehabilitation
7-32 Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the Texas
7-33 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, the Texas
7-34 Department of Health, and the Texas Department of Human Services by
7-35 rule shall adopt a memorandum of understanding that establishes
7-36 their respective responsibilities to institute a continuity of care
7-37 and service program for offenders in the criminal justice system
7-38 who are physically disabled, terminally ill, or significantly ill.
7-39 The council shall coordinate and monitor the development and
7-40 implementation of the memorandum of understanding.
7-41 (b) The memorandum of understanding must establish methods
7-42 for:
7-43 (1) identifying offenders in the criminal justice
7-44 system who are physically disabled, terminally ill, or
7-45 significantly ill;
7-46 (2) developing interagency rules, policies, and
7-47 procedures for the coordination of care of and the exchange of
7-48 information on offenders who are physically disabled, terminally
7-49 ill, or significantly ill by local and state criminal justice
7-50 agencies, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas
7-51 Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the
7-52 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, the
7-53 Texas Department of Health, and the Texas Department of Human
7-54 Services; and
7-55 (3) identifying the services needed by offenders who
7-56 are physically disabled, terminally ill, or significantly ill to
7-57 reenter the community successfully.
7-58 (c) The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas
7-59 Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind, the
7-60 Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing <Impaired>, the
7-61 Texas Department of Health, and the Texas Department of Human
7-62 Services shall:
7-63 (1) operate, with funds appropriated for that purpose,
7-64 the continuity of care and service program for offenders in the
7-65 criminal justice system who are physically disabled, terminally
7-66 ill, or significantly ill; and
7-67 (2) actively seek federal grants or funds to operate
7-68 and expand the program.
7-69 SECTION 27. Section 504.017, Labor Code, is amended to read
7-70 as follows:
8-1 Sec. 504.017. Federal and State Funded Transportation
8-2 Entities. An entity is eligible to participate under Section
8-3 504.016; Chapter 1084, Acts of the 70th Legislature, Regular
8-4 Session, 1987 (Article 715c, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); or
8-5 Chapter 791, Government Code, if the entity provides transportation
8-6 subsidized in whole or in part by and provided to clients of:
8-7 (1) the Texas Department on Aging;
8-8 (2) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
8-9 (3) the Texas Commission for the Blind;
8-10 (4) the Texas Cancer Council;
8-11 (5) the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of
8-12 Hearing <Impaired>;
8-13 (6) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
8-14 Affairs;
8-15 (7) the Texas Department of Human Services;
8-16 (8) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
8-17 Retardation;
8-18 (9) the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; or
8-19 (10) the Texas Youth Commission.
8-20 SECTION 28. The following provisions of the Human Resources
8-21 Code are repealed:
8-22 (1) Section 81.006(h);
8-23 (2) Section 81.0061;
8-24 (3) Section 81.007(j); and
8-25 (4) Section 81.011.
8-26 SECTION 29. The name of the Texas Commission for the Deaf
8-27 and Hearing Impaired is changed to the Texas Commission for the
8-28 Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Any reference in the law to the Texas
8-29 Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired means the Texas
8-30 Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
8-31 SECTION 30. (a) Before using new stationery or other
8-32 supplies printed with the commission's name as changed by this Act,
8-33 the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired shall use
8-34 all stationery and other supplies that are printed with the
8-35 commission's former name and that are in its possession on the
8-36 effective date of this Act.
8-37 (b) An appropriation made to the Texas Commission for the
8-38 Deaf and Hearing Impaired is available to the commission under its
8-39 name as changed by this Act.
8-40 SECTION 31. This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
8-41 SECTION 32. The importance of this legislation and the
8-42 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
8-43 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
8-44 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
8-45 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
8-46 * * * * *