SRC-DBM S.B. 353 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 353
76R835 CLG-DBy: Zaffirini
Human Services
2/9/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

The 71st Texas Legislature created the Texas Office for the Prevention of
Developmental Disabilities (TOP) to coordinate public and private efforts
aimed at reducing the economic and human losses caused by preventable
disabilities.  The agency is governed by a nine- member executive committee
of experts in children's health and developmental disabilities.  Since
1989, TOP has worked in partnership with public and private organizations
to promote disability prevention, including the use of bicycle helmets to
prevent head and spinal cord injuries, and increased awareness of fetal
alcohol syndrome.  As a result of its review of the Texas Office for the
Prevention of  Developmental Disabilities , the Sunset Advisory Commission
recommended continuation of the Texas Office for the Prevention of
Developmental Disabilities and several statutory modifications. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 353 continues the Texas  Office for the Prevention of
Developmental Disabilities until September 1, 2007. 

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 Sec. 112.045,  Human Resources Code, by amending
Subsections (b) and (d) by adding standard language developed by the Sunset
Advisory Commission regarding appointments to the executive committee of
the Texas Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities (TOP). 

SECTION 2.  Amends  Chapter 112C, Human Resources Code, by adding Sections
112.0451 through 112.0454, 112.0471, and 112.0472 as follows: 

Sec. 112.0451.  CONFLICT OF INTEREST.   Adds standard language developed by
the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding conflict of interest. 

Sec. 112.0452.  REMOVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER.  Adds standard
language developed by the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding the removal
of executive committee members. 

Sec.  112.0453. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER TRAINING.  Adds standard
language developed by the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding executive
committee member training. 

Sec.  112.0454.  PUBLIC ACCESS.  Adds standard language developed by the
Sunset Advisory Commission regarding public access to the executive
committee. 

Sec.  112.0471.  QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.  Adds standard
language developed by the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding
qualifications and standards of conduct of members of the executive
committee and employees of TOP. 

Sec.  112.0472.  EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICIES.  Adds standard
language developed by the Sunset Advisory Commission regarding equal
employment opportunity policies. 
 
SECTION 3.  Amends Sec. 112.052, Human Resources Code, to provide that the
Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities is abolished and
this subchapter expires on September 1, 2007, unless continued as provided
by Chapter 325, Government Code. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Emergency clause.