SRC-JXG H.B. 1402 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1402
76R9915 AJA-DBy: Gray (Madla)
Health Services
4/19/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) is the state's primary
authority for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, except for
individuals with vision impairments, who are served by the Texas Commission
for the Blind. TRC's primary emphasis is on vocational rehabilitation and
helping persons with physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find, and
maintain employment. In addition to rehabilitation programs, TRC is
responsible for determining initial eligibility for Social Security
disability benefits. As a result of its review of TRC, the Sunset Advisory
Commission recommended continuation of TRC and several statutory
modifications. H.B. 1402 would authorize TRC to continue to operate. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1402 sets forth provisions for the continuation and
functions of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission until September 1, 2011. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Rehabilitation Commission in
SECTIONS 7, 9, 20, 22 and 25 (Sections 111.0161(a) and (b), 111.018(a)(1),
111.0552(a) and (b), 111.070(a), and 111.071(b), Human Resources Code) of
this bill.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 111.002, Human Resources Code, by amending
Subdivision (7) and adding Subdivision (8), to redefine "extended
rehabilitation services program" and to define "board." 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 111.012, Human Resources Code, to provide that
the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) is abolished and this chapter
expires on September 1, 2011, unless continued as provided by Chapter 325,
Government Code. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 111.013(b), Human Resources Code, to add standard
language developed by the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding equal
employment opportunity policies. Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 111.0131, Human Resources Code, to provide that
it is a ground for removal from the board of the Texas Rehabilitation
Commission (board) that a member does not have at the time of taking office
the qualifications required by Section 111.013(b); ineligible for
membership under Sections 111.013 or 111.025; cannot, because of illness or
disability, discharge the member's duties for a substantial part of  the
member's term; or is absent without an excuse approved by a majority vote
of the board. Requires the board chairman to notify the governor and
attorney general that a potential ground for removal exists. Requires the
commissioner of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (commissioner) to
notify the next highest ranking officer of the board, who is required to
then notify the governor and attorney general, if a potential ground for
removal exists.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Chapter 111B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
111.0132, to add standard language developed by the Sunset Advisory
Commission regarding the training of board members. 
 
SECTION 6. Amends Section 111.016, Human Resources Code, as follows: 

Sec. 111.016. New heading: REHABILITATION COUNCIL OF TEXAS. Creates the
Rehabilitation Council of Texas by this section in accordance with the
federal Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, Pub. L. 102-569, and the
federal Rehabilitation Act Amendment of 1998, Pub. L. 105-220. 

SECTION 7. Amends Chapter 111B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
111.0161,as follows: 

Sec. 111.0161. ADVISORY COMMITTEES REPORT TO BOARD. Requires each advisory
committee established by law or rule to advise TRC to report and advise the
board on the committee's activities and results of its work. Requires each
committee to work with the commissioner, the commissioner's staff, and the
board. Requires the board to adopt rules to implement this section. 

SECTION 8. Amends Section 111.017, Human Resources Code, to provide that
the commissioner is appointed by the board, with the approval of the
governor, and serves at the pleasure of the board, rather than on the basis
of education, training, experience, and demonstrated ability. Provides that
the commissioner is the executive head of the agency. 

SECTION 9. Amends Section 111.018, Human Resources Code, to require the
board to adopt policies and rules to effectively carry out the purpose of
this chapter and to supervise the commissioner's administration of this
chapter. Requires the board to develop and implement policies that clearly
separate the policymaking responsibilities of the board and the management
responsibilities of the commissioner and staff of TRC. Authorizes the board
to delegate to the commissioner or acting commissioner any power or duty
imposed on the board by law except that the board is prohibited from
delegating power to adopt rules. Requires the delegation of power to be in
writing. Requires any delegation of the board's authority to be adopted by
the board in a public meeting. Requires a policy statement to include
personnel policies that show the intent of  the commission to avoid the
unlawful employment practices described by Chapter 21, Labor Code, and an
analysis of the extent to which the composition of TRC's personnel is in
accordance with state and federal law and a description of reasonable
methods to achieve compliance with state and federal law. Requires the
policy statement to be updated annually, reviewed by the state Commission
on Human Rights for compliance with Subsection (g)(1), and filed with the
governor's office. Deletes text regarding a requirement of the policy
statement. Deletes text regarding the information required to be included
in the policy statement. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 10. Amends Section 111.019, Human Resources Code, to require TRC,
rather than the commissioner, with the approval of the board, to make
long-range and intermediate plans for the scope and development of the
program. 

SECTION 11. Amends Section 111.021, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsection (c), to require TRC to post on the Internet in an accessible
format the reports required under this section and any other agency
performance data required to be reported to this state or the federal
government. Requires TRC to remove the confidential information before
posting the report or performance data, if a report or performance data
contains confidential information. 

SECTION 12. Amends Section 111.022, Human Resources Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 13. Amends Section 111.023, Human Resources Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 14. Amends Section 111.024, Human Resources Code, to authorize the
commissioner, with the approval of the board, to delegate to any officer or
employee of TRC the responsibilities, rather than those powers and duties
except the making of regulations and the appointment of personnel, of the
commissioner as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. 

SECTION 15. Amends Section 111.025, Human Resources Code, to add standard
language developed by the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding the
restrictions on board membership and  employment. 

SECTION 16. Amends Section 111.026, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsections (c), (d), and (e), to add  standard language developed by the
Sunset Advisory Commission regarding written complaints filed with TRC. 

SECTION 17. Amends Section 111.052, Human Resources Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 18. Amends Chapter 111C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
111.0525, as follows: 

Sec. 111.0525. COORDINATION WITH STATE AGENCIES. Requires TRC to target
extended rehabilitation services to those individuals who are not eligible
to receive similar services from the Texas Department of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation (TXMHMR) or another agency.  Requires TRC to enter into
an agreement with TXMHMR to reduce duplication and fragmentation of
employment services by defining each agency's role and responsibilities for
shared client populations. Requires TRC to establish a formal referral
process with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to ensure that
appropriate vocational rehabilitation clients are referred to and receive
services provided by TWC or local workforce developmental agencies. 

SECTION 19. Amends Chapter 111C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
111.0551, as follows: 

Sec. 111.0551.  PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES.  Sets forth the required
duties of TRC. 

SECTION 20. Amends Chapter 111C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
111.0552, as follows: 

Sec. 111.0552.  RATES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES.  Requires the board to adopt
rules and standards governing the determination of rates TRC will pay for
medical services and health care services. Requires the board to annually
adopt, by rule, a schedule of rates based on the rules and standards
adopted under Subsection (a). Sets forth the requirements of the board
concerning the adoption of a rate schedule. Requires the board to hold a
public hearing before adopting rules  to allow interested persons to
present comments. 

SECTION 21. Amends Chapter 111C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
111.0553, as follows: 

Sec. 111.0553.  PROCUREMENT METHODS.  Requires TRC to develop and,
following review and approval by the board, implement agency-wide
procurement procedures to ensure compliance with the best-value purchasing
requirements of Section 2155.144(c), Government Code; document that a
best-value review of vendors has occurred and the reasons for selecting a
vendor; negotiate price discounts with high-volume vendors; and consolidate
purchases with other agencies, including the Texas Department of Health and
the General Services Commission, to achieve the best value and provide
effective public notification to potential vendors of planned TRC
purchases. 

SECTION 22. Amends Chapter 111, Human Resources Code, by adding Subchapter
D, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER D.  VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

Sec. 111.070. PROVISION OF SERVICES. Requires the board, by rule, to
establish and maintain guidelines for providing vocational rehabilitation
services that are consistent with state and federal laws and regulations.
Sets forth the guidelines for providing vocational rehabilitation services.
Requires the board to annually assess the effectiveness of the state's
vocational rehabilitation program. 

 Sec. 111.071. Requires the board to provide specific guidance to
vocational rehabilitation counselors. Sets forth the specific guidance
information. Requires the board to require monitoring and oversight of
vocational rehabilitation counselor performance and decision making. 

Sec. 111.072. CLIENT ORIENTATION MATERIALS. Requires TRC to develop and
distribute at intake client orientation materials for the vocational
rehabilitation program that include information on TRC's decision making
criteria. 

Sec.  111.073.  TRANSITION PLANNING. Requires TRC to assess the statewide
need for services necessary to prepare students with disabilities for a
successful transition to employment; establish collaborative relationships
with each school district with education service centers to the maximum
extent possible within available resources; and develop strategies to
assist vocational rehabilitation counselors in identifying and  reaching
students in need of transition planning. 

SECTION 23. Amends Section 302.021, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (d),
to require the division of workforce development of TRC to promote and
monitor services provided to persons with disabilities, including persons
referred from TRC. 

SECTION 24.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 25. (a) Requires the board of TRC to adopt each rule required to
implement the changes in law made by this Act no later than January 1,
2000. 

(b) Provides that Section 111.0132, Human Resources Code, does not apply to
a member of the TRC board appointed before the effective date of this Act
for the remainder of the member's term. 

SECTION 26.Emergency clause.