1-1 By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 305
1-2 (In the Senate - Filed January 27, 1997; January 29, 1997,
1-3 read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
1-4 Services; February 12, 1997, reported adversely, with favorable
1-5 Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0;
1-6 February 12, 1997, sent to printer.)
1-7 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 305 By: Zaffirini
1-8 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-9 AN ACT
1-10 relating to the Interagency Council on Early Childhood
1-11 Intervention.
1-12 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-13 SECTION 1. Section 73.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-14 to read as follows:
1-15 Sec. 73.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-16 (1) "Board" means the board of the Interagency Council
1-17 on Early Childhood Intervention.
1-18 (2) "Council" means the Interagency Council on Early
1-19 Childhood Intervention [Services].
1-20 (3) "Developmental delay" [(2) "Developmentally
1-21 delayed child"] means a significant variation [child who is
1-22 determined by an interdisciplinary team to exhibit:]
1-23 [(A) a significant delay, beyond acceptable
1-24 variations] in normal development as measured by appropriate
1-25 diagnostic instruments and procedures, in one or more of the
1-26 following areas:
1-27 (A) [(i)] cognitive development;
1-28 (B) physical development [(ii) gross or fine
1-29 motor];
1-30 (C) communication development [(iii) language
1-31 or speech];
1-32 (D) [(iv)] social or emotional development; or
1-33 (E) adaptive development [(v) self-help skills;
1-34 or]
1-35 [(B) an organic defect or a condition that is
1-36 very likely to result in a delay in one or more of those
1-37 capabilities or skills].
1-38 SECTION 2. Section 73.002, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-39 to read as follows:
1-40 Sec. 73.002. BOARD [INTERAGENCY COUNCIL]. (a) The council
1-41 is governed by a board composed of nine [three] lay members who are
1-42 the family members [parents] of [developmentally delayed] children
1-43 with developmental delay, appointed by the governor with the advice
1-44 and consent of the senate.
1-45 (b) In addition to the members appointed under Subsection
1-46 (a), nonvoting representatives shall be appointed by the
1-47 commissioner or executive head of the following agencies to
1-48 actively participate in board deliberations and advise the board on
1-49 the appointing agency's perspective and concerns regarding the
1-50 early childhood intervention program:
1-51 (1) the Texas Department of Health;
1-52 (2) the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
1-53 Retardation;
1-54 (3) the Texas Education Agency;
1-55 (4) the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
1-56 (5) the Texas Department of Human Services;
1-57 (6) the Department of Protective and Regulatory
1-58 Services; and
1-59 (7) the Texas Workforce Commission.
1-60 (c) Five of the lay members of the board must be the parents
1-61 of children who are receiving or have received early childhood
1-62 intervention services. Each state [and one representative each
1-63 from the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of Mental
1-64 Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas Department of Human
2-1 Services, the Central Education Agency, the Department of
2-2 Protective and Regulatory Services, and the Texas Commission on
2-3 Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The governor with the advice and consent
2-4 of the senate shall appoint the lay members, and the commissioner,
2-5 director, or executive director of each agency shall appoint that
2-6 agency's representative. The] agency representative appointed
2-7 under Subsection (b) must have [should be a person in the agency
2-8 with] administrative responsibility in the agency represented by
2-9 the representative for [the supervision of] early childhood
2-10 intervention [support staff] or related services and must have
2-11 authority to make decisions and commit resources on behalf of the
2-12 appointing agency.
2-13 (d) [(b)] Members of the board [council] appointed under
2-14 Subsection (a) serve for staggered six-year terms, with the terms
2-15 of three members expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
2-16 The representatives to the board appointed under Subsection (b)
2-17 serve as nonvoting participants and serve at the will of the
2-18 appointing authority. If a representative [member] appointed by a
2-19 state agency under Subsection (b) terminates employment with the
2-20 agency, the representative's [member's] position becomes vacant on
2-21 the date of termination.
2-22 (e) [(c)] The members of the board [council] shall
2-23 [annually] elect one member to serve as the presiding officer and
2-24 one member to serve as assistant presiding officer. Officers shall
2-25 serve a two-year term [chairperson].
2-26 (f) [(d)] The board [council] shall meet at least quarterly
2-27 and shall adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings.
2-28 (g) [(e)] Any action taken by the board [council] must be
2-29 approved by a majority vote of the members present.
2-30 (h) [(f)] The board [council] shall establish regulations,
2-31 policies, and procedures [a policy] for carrying out the council's
2-32 [its] duties under this chapter.
2-33 (i) [(g)] The board [council] shall develop a method for
2-34 responding to [programs funded under this chapter to respond to
2-35 individual] complaints regarding services provided by the council
2-36 [program].
2-37 SECTION 3. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
2-38 adding Section 73.0021 to read as follows:
2-39 Sec. 73.0021. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP.
2-40 (a) Appointments to the board shall be made without regard to
2-41 race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin.
2-42 (b) A person is not eligible for appointment as a board
2-43 member if:
2-44 (1) the person does not meet the eligibility
2-45 requirements under Section 73.002;
2-46 (2) the person or the person's spouse is an officer of
2-47 an agency or paid counsel of an organization with which the council
2-48 engages in a contractual relationship; or
2-49 (3) the person is required to register as a lobbyist
2-50 under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's
2-51 activities on behalf of a profession or organization related to
2-52 council functions.
2-53 SECTION 4. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
2-54 adding Section 73.0022 to read as follows:
2-55 Sec. 73.0022. REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS. (a) It is a ground
2-56 for removal from the board if a member:
2-57 (1) is not eligible for appointment to the board under
2-58 Section 73.002;
2-59 (2) does not maintain during service on the board the
2-60 qualifications required by Section 73.002;
2-61 (3) has or develops an interest that conflicts or
2-62 appears to conflict with the member's position on the board;
2-63 (4) cannot discharge the member's duties for a
2-64 substantial part of the term for which the member is appointed
2-65 because of illness or disability; or
2-66 (5) is absent for more than half of the regularly
2-67 scheduled board meetings that the member is eligible to attend
2-68 during a calendar year unless the absences are excused by a
2-69 majority vote of the board.
3-1 (b) The validity of an action of the board is not affected
3-2 by the fact that it was taken when grounds for removal of a board
3-3 member existed.
3-4 (c) If the executive director of the council has knowledge
3-5 that a potential ground for removal exists, the executive director
3-6 shall notify the presiding officer of the board. The presiding
3-7 officer shall then notify the governor of the potential removal and
3-8 the cause for the potential removal action.
3-9 (d) If a board member is removed for cause, the governor
3-10 shall make a subsequent appointment for the remainder of that board
3-11 member's term.
3-12 SECTION 5. Section 73.003, Human Resources Code, is amended
3-13 to read as follows:
3-14 Sec. 73.003. STRATEGIC [STATE] PLAN. [(a)] The council
3-15 shall develop and implement a strategic [state] plan for a
3-16 statewide system of early childhood intervention services, as
3-17 required by Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities
3-18 Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its
3-19 subsequent amendments, to ensure that[:]
3-20 [(1)] the provisions of this chapter are properly
3-21 implemented by the agencies affected[;]
3-22 [(2) child and family needs are assessed statewide and
3-23 all available resources are coordinated to meet those needs;]
3-24 [(3) manpower needs are assessed statewide and
3-25 strategies are developed to meet those needs;]
3-26 [(4) incentives are offered for private sources to
3-27 maintain present commitments and to assist in developing new
3-28 programs; and]
3-29 [(5) a procedure for review of individual complaints
3-30 about services provided under this chapter is implemented].
3-31 [(b) The council shall make written recommendations for the
3-32 carrying out of its duties under this chapter. If the council
3-33 considers a recommendation that will affect an agency not
3-34 represented on the council, the council shall seek the advice and
3-35 assistance of the agency before taking action on the
3-36 recommendation. The council's recommendations shall be implemented
3-37 by the agencies affected by the recommendations.]
3-38 SECTION 6. Section 73.004, Human Resources Code, is amended
3-39 by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
3-40 follows:
3-41 (b) The committee shall meet and serve under the rules of
3-42 the board [council], but the committee shall elect its own
3-43 presiding officer [chairperson]. The committee may be divided into
3-44 regional committees to assist the council in community-level
3-45 program planning and implementation.
3-46 (c) The advisory committee is not subject to Article
3-47 6252-33, Revised Statutes.
3-48 SECTION 7. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
3-49 adding Section 73.0041 to read as follows:
3-50 Sec. 73.0041. ADVISORY COMMITTEE DUTIES. The advisory
3-51 committee established under Section 73.004 shall perform the duties
3-52 and responsibilities required of an advisory committee under
3-53 Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
3-54 (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its subsequent amendments.
3-55 SECTION 8. Section 73.005, Human Resources Code, is amended
3-56 to read as follows:
3-57 Sec. 73.005. BOARD POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The board
3-58 [council] with the advice of the advisory committee shall address
3-59 contemporary issues affecting intervention services in the state
3-60 including:
3-61 (1) successful intervention strategies;
3-62 (2) personnel preparation and continuing education;
3-63 (3) screening services;
3-64 (4) day or respite care services;
3-65 (5) public awareness; and
3-66 (6) contemporary research.
3-67 (b) The board [council] with the advice of the advisory
3-68 committee shall advise the legislature on legislation that is
3-69 needed [to develop further and] to maintain a statewide system of
4-1 quality intervention services for [all developmentally delayed]
4-2 children with developmental delay who are under three years of age
4-3 and the families of those children. The council may develop and
4-4 submit legislation to the legislature or comment on pending
4-5 legislation that affects this population.
4-6 SECTION 9. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
4-7 adding Section 73.0051 to read as follows:
4-8 Sec. 73.0051. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL. (a) The
4-9 council is the lead agency designated by the governor under
4-10 Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
4-11 (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its subsequent amendments for
4-12 the administration, supervision, and monitoring of a statewide
4-13 comprehensive system of early intervention services that will
4-14 ensure that all infants and toddlers in this state who are below
4-15 the age of three and have developmental needs or are at risk of
4-16 developmental delay receive services that are provided in
4-17 partnership with their families and in the context of their local
4-18 community.
4-19 (b) The council by rule shall:
4-20 (1) provide for compliance with the terms and
4-21 provisions of applicable federal and state laws in the
4-22 administration of programs and the delivery of services under this
4-23 chapter;
4-24 (2) establish a program to monitor fiscal and program
4-25 implementation; and
4-26 (3) establish appropriate sanctions for providers who
4-27 fail to comply with statutory and regulatory fiscal and program
4-28 requirements.
4-29 (c) The council may enter into, administer, and monitor
4-30 contracts with providers for programs and projects authorized under
4-31 this chapter.
4-32 (d) The council shall periodically monitor program
4-33 activities and fiscal performance of the entities funded under this
4-34 chapter to determine compliance with federal and state requirements
4-35 and issue reports regarding program monitoring.
4-36 (e) The council may apply for and accept gifts, grants, and
4-37 donations from public and private sources for use in programs
4-38 authorized under this chapter. The council shall deposit money
4-39 received under this section into the state treasury.
4-40 (f) The council shall cooperate with the Health and Human
4-41 Services Commission and other local, state, and federal agencies in
4-42 the strategic planning, funding, delivery, and monitoring of
4-43 services authorized under this chapter.
4-44 (g) The council shall make periodic reports as required by
4-45 law to other agencies, the legislature, appropriate committees, the
4-46 governor, and the Secretary of the United States Department of
4-47 Education.
4-48 (h) The council shall ensure that all programs and council
4-49 functions are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
4-50 SECTION 10. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
4-51 adding Section 73.0052 to read as follows:
4-52 Sec. 73.0052. PERSONNEL MATTERS. (a) The board shall
4-53 provide to its members and to the employees of the council, as
4-54 often as necessary, information regarding their qualifications
4-55 under this chapter and their responsibilities under applicable laws
4-56 relating to standards of conduct for state officers or employees.
4-57 (b) The board shall employ an executive director, and the
4-58 executive director shall establish necessary administrative units,
4-59 and hire other necessary employees.
4-60 (c) Utilizing established standards, the board shall
4-61 evaluate the performance of the executive director annually.
4-62 (d) The executive director or the executive director's
4-63 designee shall develop an intra-agency career ladder program.
4-64 Employees will be notified of all available positions. When
4-65 appropriate, postings will be made available to council employees
4-66 before public posting.
4-67 (e) The executive director or the executive director's
4-68 designee shall develop a system of annual performance evaluations
4-69 based on measurable job tasks. All merit pay for council employees
5-1 must be based on the system established under this subsection.
5-2 (f) The executive director or the executive director's
5-3 designee shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement to
5-4 assure implementation of a program of equal employment opportunity
5-5 under which all personnel transactions are made without regard to
5-6 race, color, handicap, sex, religion, age, or national origin. The
5-7 policy statement must include:
5-8 (1) personnel policies, including policies relating to
5-9 recruitment, evaluation, selection, appointment, training, and
5-10 promotion of personnel;
5-11 (2) a comprehensive analysis of the agency workforce
5-12 that meets federal and state guidelines; and
5-13 (3) procedures by which a determination can be made of
5-14 significant underutilization in the council's workforce of all
5-15 persons for whom federal or state guidelines encourage a more
5-16 equitable balance and reasonable methods to appropriately address
5-17 those areas of significant underutilization.
5-18 (g) The policy statement prepared under Subsection (f) must:
5-19 (1) cover an annual period;
5-20 (2) be updated at least annually; and
5-21 (3) be filed with the governor.
5-22 SECTION 11. Section 73.006, Human Resources Code, is amended
5-23 to read as follows:
5-24 Sec. 73.006. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES [AND STAFF SUPPORT].
5-25 (a) Agency representatives to [on] the board and the advisory
5-26 committee, if any, [council] are entitled to reimbursement for
5-27 expenses incurred in the performance of their [council] duties by
5-28 the appointing agencies in accordance with the travel provisions
5-29 for state employees in the General Appropriations Act.
5-30 (b) The lay members of the board [described by Section
5-31 73.002(a)] and advisory committee [members] are entitled to
5-32 reimbursement [from the council] for reasonable [actual] and
5-33 necessary expenses incurred in the performance of board or advisory
5-34 committee [council] duties, including reimbursement for child care
5-35 [or attendant care].
5-36 (c) [(b)] The agencies that have representatives
5-37 [represented] on the board [council] shall provide staff support to
5-38 the council as needed. The agencies may provide staff support to
5-39 the committee.
5-40 (d) A board member, a nonvoting representative to the board,
5-41 or an advisory committee member who is disabled and who, because of
5-42 the disability, requires attendant care to perform the person's
5-43 duties is entitled to reimbursement for the cost of the attendant
5-44 care.
5-45 [(c) The council shall select and employ:]
5-46 [(1) an early childhood intervention administrator
5-47 with the approval of the governor; and]
5-48 [(2) other personnel necessary for the administration
5-49 of the council's duties.]
5-50 SECTION 12. Section 73.007, Human Resources Code, is amended
5-51 to read as follows:
5-52 Sec. 73.007. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING. The council
5-53 shall develop and implement:
5-54 (1) a general public awareness strategy focusing on
5-55 the importance of prenatal care and early identification
5-56 [detection] of infants and toddlers with developmental delay and
5-57 the availability of [state] resources to meet their [the] needs [of
5-58 developmentally delayed children under six years of age]; and
5-59 (2) a statewide plan for conducting [regional]
5-60 training and technical assistance [sessions] for [public and
5-61 private] service providers, primary referral sources, and families
5-62 [who have routine contact] with children under three [six] years of
5-63 age with [that focuses on methods for early detection of]
5-64 developmental delay.
5-65 SECTION 13. Section 73.008, Human Resources Code, is amended
5-66 to read as follows:
5-67 Sec. 73.008. Early Identification Strategy. (a) The
5-68 council shall develop and implement a statewide strategy for:
5-69 (1) the early identification of [developmentally
6-1 delayed] children under three [six] years of age with developmental
6-2 delay; and
6-3 (2) the coordination of programs with[, utilizing
6-4 information from] other agencies serving [handicapped] children
6-5 with developmental delay.
6-6 (b) The strategy must include plans to:
6-7 (1) incorporate, strengthen, and expand similar
6-8 existing local efforts;
6-9 (2) incorporate and coordinate screening services
6-10 currently provided through a public agency; and
6-11 (3) establish a liaison with primary referral sources,
6-12 including hospitals, physicians, public health facilities, and
6-13 day-care facilities, to encourage referrals of [developmentally
6-14 delayed] children with developmental delay.
6-15 SECTION 14. Subsection (a), Section 73.009, Human Resources
6-16 Code, is amended to read as follows:
6-17 (a) The council shall establish policies concerning services
6-18 described by this section. A child under three [six] years of age
6-19 and the child's family may be referred for services described by
6-20 this section if the child is:
6-21 (1) identified as developmentally delayed;
6-22 (2) suspected of being developmentally delayed; or
6-23 (3) considered at risk of developmental delay [because
6-24 of certain biological or environmental factors].
6-25 SECTION 15. Section 73.010, Human Resources Code, is amended
6-26 to read as follows:
6-27 Sec. 73.010. Eligibility for Services. [(a)] A
6-28 [developmentally delayed] child is eligible for services under this
6-29 chapter if the child:
6-30 (1) is under three years of age; and
6-31 (2) is documented as having developmental delay or has
6-32 a medically diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high
6-33 probability of resulting in developmental delay [has not reached
6-34 the age of eligibility for entry into the comprehensive special
6-35 education program for handicapped children under Section 21.501,
6-36 Education Code; or]
6-37 [(3) is under three years of age and is an eligible
6-38 child authorized under Section 11.052(a) and Section 11.10(o),
6-39 Education Code.]
6-40 [(b) The council may charge fees for services provided under
6-41 this chapter].
6-42 SECTION 16. Section 73.022, Human Resources Code, is amended
6-43 to read as follows:
6-44 Sec. 73.022. FINANCES. (a) The council shall:
6-45 (1) ensure compliance with requirements necessary to
6-46 obtain federal funds in the maximum amount and the most
6-47 advantageous proportions possible;
6-48 (2) apply for, receive, administer, and spend federal
6-49 and state funds for Subchapter VIII, Individuals with Disabilities
6-50 Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. Section 1471 et seq.), and its
6-51 subsequent amendments, dealing with infants and toddlers from birth
6-52 to age three with developmental delay and their families; and
6-53 (3) authorize and account for the classification and
6-54 spending of maintenance of effort and carryover funds from all
6-55 sources in carrying out the programs funded under this chapter.
6-56 (b) All money paid to the council under this chapter shall
6-57 be deposited in the state treasury and may be used only for the
6-58 administration of this chapter.
6-59 (c) The financial transactions of the council are subject to
6-60 audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321,
6-61 Government Code.
6-62 (d) The executive director shall prepare and submit to the
6-63 board for approval a biennial budget and request for an
6-64 appropriation by the legislature of funds necessary to carry out
6-65 the duties of the council. The budget and request must include an
6-66 estimate of all federal funds to be allocated to the state for the
6-67 performance of the council's duties.
6-68 (e) The council shall submit the budget and appropriations
6-69 request to the Legislative Budget Board and the governor in the
7-1 manner prescribed by law.
7-2 (f) The council shall annually file with the governor and
7-3 the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a complete
7-4 and detailed written report accounting for all funds received and
7-5 disbursed by the council during the preceding year in accordance
7-6 with the General Appropriations Act [Federally Funded Programs][.
7-7 (a) The Central Education Agency may not impose requirements on an
7-8 early childhood intervention program that receives funds under the
7-9 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section
7-10 2701 et seq.) that are not requirements under federal law or under
7-11 this chapter.]
7-12 [(b) The Central Education Agency shall coordinate
7-13 monitoring required by federal law for early childhood intervention
7-14 programs with the program monitoring required by this chapter to
7-15 the extent possible].
7-16 SECTION 17. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
7-17 adding Section 73.023 to read as follows:
7-18 Sec. 73.023. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Interagency
7-19 Council on Early Childhood Intervention is subject to Chapter 325,
7-20 Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence
7-21 as provided by that chapter, the council is abolished on September
7-22 1, 2003.
7-23 SECTION 18. Chapter 73, Human Resources Code, is amended by
7-24 adding Section 73.024 to read as follows:
7-25 Sec. 73.024. OPEN MEETINGS; OPEN RECORDS; ADMINISTRATIVE
7-26 PROCEDURE. The board, council, and advisory committee are subject
7-27 to the requirements of the open meetings law, Chapter 551,
7-28 Government Code, the open records law, Chapter 552, Government
7-29 Code, and Chapter 2001, Government Code.
7-30 SECTION 19. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
7-31 amended by adding Section 411.132 to read as follows:
7-32 Sec. 411.132. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
7-33 INFORMATION: INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION.
7-34 (a) The Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention is
7-35 entitled to obtain criminal history record information maintained
7-36 by the Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of
7-37 Investigation identification division, or another law enforcement
7-38 agency that relates to an employee or an applicant for permanent,
7-39 temporary, or consultative employment or for volunteer positions
7-40 whose employment or potential employment or volunteer position with
7-41 the council or a local provider involves the delivery of early
7-42 childhood intervention services or involves direct interactions
7-43 with or the opportunity to interact and associate with children.
7-44 (b) Criminal history record information obtained by the
7-45 council under Subsection (a) may not be released or disclosed to
7-46 any person except on court order, with the consent of the person
7-47 who is the subject of the criminal history record information, or
7-48 as provided by Subsection (d).
7-49 (c) The council shall destroy criminal history record
7-50 information that relates to a person after the information is used
7-51 for its authorized purpose.
7-52 (d) The council may provide the applicant, employee,
7-53 professional consultant, or volunteer with a copy of the person's
7-54 criminal history record information obtained from the Department of
7-55 Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation identification
7-56 division, or another law enforcement agency.
7-57 (e) The failure or refusal to provide a complete set of
7-58 fingerprints or a complete name on request constitutes good cause
7-59 for dismissal or refusal to hire, as applicable, with regard to
7-60 council employees, professional consultants, and applicants for
7-61 permanent, temporary, or consultative employment or for volunteer
7-62 positions whose employment or potential employment or volunteer
7-63 position with the council or a local provider involves the delivery
7-64 of early childhood intervention services or involves direct
7-65 interactions with or the opportunity to interact and associate with
7-66 children.
7-67 SECTION 20. Sections 73.011 through 73.021, Human Resources
7-68 Code, are repealed.
7-69 SECTION 21. (a) As soon as possible after the effective
8-1 date of this Act, the governor shall appoint the nine lay members
8-2 of the board of the Interagency Council on Early Childhood
8-3 Intervention in accordance with Section 73.002, Human Resources
8-4 Code, as amended by this Act, with three members' terms expiring
8-5 February 1, 1999, three members' terms expiring February 1, 2001,
8-6 and three members' terms expiring February 1, 2003.
8-7 (b) As soon as possible after the effective date of this
8-8 Act, the executive director or commissioner of the agencies listed
8-9 in Subsection (b), Section 73.002, Human Resources Code, as amended
8-10 by this Act, shall appoint representatives required by that
8-11 subsection.
8-12 (c) Until all members of the board of the Interagency
8-13 Council on Early Childhood Intervention are appointed and are
8-14 qualified to take office as required by this Act, a majority of the
8-15 members who are qualified to serve on the board constitutes a
8-16 quorum of the board, so long as at least four are qualified.
8-17 (d) The term of a member of the council of the Interagency
8-18 Council on Early Childhood Intervention, as the council existed
8-19 immediately before the effective date of this Act, expires and the
8-20 member's position is abolished on the date on which a majority of
8-21 the members of the board of the Interagency Council on Early
8-22 Childhood Intervention are appointed and are qualified to take
8-23 office.
8-24 SECTION 22. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
8-25 SECTION 23. The importance of this legislation and the
8-26 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
8-27 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
8-28 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
8-29 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
8-30 * * * * *