SRC-MAX S.B. 1239 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1239 By: West State Affairs 4-23-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, many Texans with disabilities need assistance to compete in the workplace effectively. In recent years, "supported employment" programs have given disabled individuals this opportunity. These programs include medical service, transportation, training, and job coaching. S.B. 1239 establishes provisions for job coaches who will assist a disabled person in the workplace. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1239 establishes provisions for job coaches who will assist a disabled person in the workplace. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 656, Government Code, by adding Subchapter D, as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES Sec. 656.061. DEFINITIONS. Defines "job coach" and "state agency." Sec. 656.062. VOLUNTEER JOB COACHES FOR CERTAIN PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. Requires a state agency to provide training to each employee of the agency who in addition to the employee's regular duties volunteers to be a job coach for a person with a disability employed by the agency. Provides that a state employee who volunteers as a job coach is not entitled to receive monetary compensation for the voluntary duties, but is entitled to receive compensatory time from the agency. Sec. 656.063. ADDITIONAL TRAINING SUPPORT SERVICES; JOB COACHES. Requires a state agency that receives funds for supported employment programs to perform an assessment of the workplace needs of each employee of the agency who receives supported employment services. Requires a state agency to provide to an employee a job coach if the needs assessment of the employee indicates that a job coach would assist the employee in maintaining employment with the agency. Defines "supported employment services." SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 403B, Government Code, by adding Section 403.026, as follows: Sec. 403.026. REIMBURSEMENT OF PRIVATE JOB COACHES UNDER CERTAIN PROGRAMS. Requires the comptroller to develop a uniform system for the reimbursement of private job coaches under a supported employment services program. Requires the comptroller to perform certain functions. Defines "job coach" and "supported employment services program." SECTION 3. Requires the Sunset Advisory Commission and the Health and Human Services Commission (commissions) to conduct a joint comprehensive review and comparison of all employment programs in this state for certain persons. Require the commissions to submit a joint report to the legislature stating the findings of their review under Subsection (a) of this section not later than September 1, 1998. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.