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.