By Gray, Bosse, McCall, Naishtat H.B. No. 1402
76R9915 AJA-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas
1-3 Rehabilitation Commission.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 111.002, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-6 by amending Subdivision (7) and adding Subdivision (8) to read as
1-7 follows:
1-8 (7) "Extended rehabilitation services program" means a
1-9 program that provides rehabilitation services to an individual with
1-10 a significant [severe] disability who is not capable of entering
1-11 the competitive labor market but who may achieve maximum personal
1-12 independence through the provision of rehabilitation services.
1-13 (8) "Board" means the board of the Texas
1-14 Rehabilitation Commission.
1-15 SECTION 2. Section 111.012, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-16 to read as follows:
1-17 Sec. 111.012. SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Rehabilitation
1-18 Commission is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset
1-19 Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter,
1-20 the commission is abolished and this chapter expires September 1,
1-21 2011 [1999].
1-22 SECTION 3. Section 111.013(b), Human Resources Code, is
1-23 amended to read as follows:
1-24 (b) Appointees must be outstanding citizens of the state who
2-1 are members of the general public and have demonstrated a
2-2 constructive interest in rehabilitation services. Appointments to
2-3 the board shall be made without regard to the race, color,
2-4 disability [handicap], sex, religion, age, or national origin of
2-5 the appointees. A person is not eligible for appointment as a
2-6 board member if the person or the person's spouse:
2-7 (1) is employed by or participates in the management
2-8 of a business entity or other organization regulated by the agency
2-9 or receiving funds from the commission;
2-10 (2) owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly,
2-11 more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
2-12 organization regulated by the agency or receiving funds from the
2-13 commission; or
2-14 (3) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
2-15 goods, services, or funds from the commission.
2-16 SECTION 4. Section 111.0131, Human Resources Code, is
2-17 amended to read as follows:
2-18 Sec. 111.0131. REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS. (a) It is a
2-19 ground for removal from the board that [if] a member:
2-20 (1) does not have at the time of taking office
2-21 [appointment] the qualifications required by [Subsection (b) of]
2-22 Section 111.013(b) [111.013 of this code] for appointment to the
2-23 board;
2-24 (2) does not maintain during [the] service on the
2-25 board the qualifications required by [Subsection (b) of] Section
2-26 111.013(b) [111.013] for appointment to the board;
2-27 (3) is ineligible for membership under Section 111.013
3-1 or [violates a prohibition established by Section] 111.025 [of this
3-2 code];
3-3 (4) cannot, because of illness or disability, [is
3-4 unable to] discharge the member's [his] duties for a substantial
3-5 part [portion] of the member's term [for which he was appointed
3-6 because of illness or disability]; or
3-7 (5) is absent from more than half of the regularly
3-8 scheduled board meetings that the member is eligible to attend
3-9 during a [each] calendar year without an excuse approved by a [,
3-10 except when the absence is excused by] majority vote of the board.
3-11 (b) The validity of an action of the board is not affected
3-12 by the fact that it is [was] taken when a ground for removal of a
3-13 board member exists [of the board existed].
3-14 (c) If the commissioner has knowledge that a potential
3-15 ground for removal exists, the commissioner [he] shall notify the
3-16 chairman of the board of the potential ground. The chairman of the
3-17 board shall then notify the governor and the attorney general that
3-18 a potential ground for removal exists. If the potential ground for
3-19 removal involves the presiding officer, the commissioner shall
3-20 notify the next highest ranking officer of the board, who shall
3-21 then notify the governor and the attorney general that a potential
3-22 ground for removal exists.
3-23 SECTION 5. Subchapter B, Chapter 111, Human Resources Code,
3-24 is amended by adding Section 111.0132 to read as follows:
3-25 Sec. 111.0132. TRAINING OF BOARD MEMBERS. (a) A person who
3-26 is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the board
3-27 may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance
4-1 at a meeting of the board until the person completes a training
4-2 program that complies with this section.
4-3 (b) The training program must provide the person with
4-4 information regarding:
4-5 (1) the legislation that created the commission and
4-6 the board;
4-7 (2) the programs operated by the commission;
4-8 (3) the role and functions of the commission;
4-9 (4) the rules of the commission with an emphasis on
4-10 the rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
4-11 (5) the current budget for the commission;
4-12 (6) the results of the most recent formal audit of the
4-13 commission;
4-14 (7) the requirements of:
4-15 (A) the open meetings law, Chapter 551,
4-16 Government Code;
4-17 (B) the public information law, Chapter 552,
4-18 Government Code;
4-19 (C) the administrative procedure law, Chapter
4-20 2001, Government Code; and
4-21 (D) other laws relating to public officials,
4-22 including conflict of interest laws; and
4-23 (8) any applicable ethics policies adopted by the
4-24 commission or the Texas Ethics Commission.
4-25 (c) A person appointed to the board is entitled to
4-26 reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for
4-27 the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program
5-1 regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before
5-2 or after the person qualifies for office.
5-3 SECTION 6. Section 111.016, Human Resources Code, is amended
5-4 to read as follows:
5-5 Sec. 111.016. REHABILITATION [ADVISORY] COUNCIL OF TEXAS.
5-6 The Rehabilitation [Advisory] Council of Texas is created by this
5-7 section in accordance with the federal Rehabilitation Act
5-8 Amendments of 1992, Pub. L. 102-569, and the federal Rehabilitation
5-9 Act Amendments of 1998, Pub. L. 105-220. The board shall adopt
5-10 rules for the implementation of regulations and the administration
5-11 of the council.
5-12 SECTION 7. Subchapter B, Chapter 111, Human Resources Code,
5-13 is amended by adding Section 111.0161 to read as follows:
5-14 Sec. 111.0161. ADVISORY COMMITTEES REPORT TO BOARD.
5-15 (a) Each advisory committee established by law or rule to advise
5-16 the commission shall report to and advise the board on the
5-17 committee's activities and the results of the committee's work.
5-18 For the purpose of performing its advisory functions, each
5-19 committee shall work with the commissioner, the commission's staff,
5-20 and the board.
5-21 (b) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section.
5-22 SECTION 8. Section 111.017, Human Resources Code, is amended
5-23 to read as follows:
5-24 Sec. 111.017. COMMISSIONER. [This chapter is administered
5-25 by the commissioner under operational policies established by the
5-26 board.] The commissioner is appointed by the board, with the
5-27 approval of the governor, and [on the basis of education, training,
6-1 experience, and demonstrated ability. The commissioner] serves at
6-2 the pleasure of the board. The commissioner is the executive head
6-3 of the agency [and is secretary to the board, as well as chief
6-4 administrative officer of the agency].
6-5 SECTION 9. Section 111.018, Human Resources Code, is amended
6-6 to read as follows:
6-7 Sec. 111.018. ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS AND POLICIES. (a)
6-8 The board shall:
6-9 (1) adopt policies and rules to effectively carry out
6-10 the purposes of this chapter; and
6-11 (2) supervise the commissioner's administration of
6-12 this chapter.
6-13 (b) In carrying out his or her duties under this chapter,
6-14 the commissioner shall, with the approval of the board, implement
6-15 policies addressing [make regulations governing] personnel
6-16 standards, the protection of records and confidential information,
6-17 the manner and form of filing applications, eligibility,
6-18 investigation, and determination for rehabilitation and other
6-19 services, procedures for hearings, and other regulations subject to
6-20 this section as necessary to carry out the purposes of this
6-21 chapter.
6-22 (c) [(b)] The commissioner shall develop a career ladder
6-23 program, one part of which must require the posting throughout the
6-24 commission of all nonentry level positions concurrently with any
6-25 public posting.
6-26 (d) [(c)] The commissioner shall develop a system of annual
6-27 performance evaluations based on measurable job tasks. All merit
7-1 pay for employees must be based on the system established under
7-2 this subsection.
7-3 (e) [(d)] The board shall provide to its members and
7-4 employees as often as is necessary information regarding their
7-5 qualifications under this chapter and their responsibilities under
7-6 applicable laws relating to standards of conduct for state officers
7-7 or employees.
7-8 (f) [(e)] The board shall develop and implement policies
7-9 that clearly separate the policymaking [respective]
7-10 responsibilities of the board and the management responsibilities
7-11 of [,] the commissioner and staff of the commission. The board may
7-12 delegate to the commissioner, or to a person acting as commissioner
7-13 in the commissioner's absence, any power or duty imposed on the
7-14 board or commission by law except that the board may not delegate
7-15 the power to adopt rules. The delegation of a power or duty must
7-16 be in writing. Any delegation of the board's authority must be
7-17 adopted by the board in a public meeting [, and the other
7-18 employees].
7-19 (g) [(f)] The commissioner or the commissioner's designee
7-20 shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement that
7-21 implements [to assure implementation of] a program of equal
7-22 employment opportunity to ensure that [whereby] all personnel
7-23 decisions [transactions] are made without regard to race, color,
7-24 disability [handicap], sex, religion, age, or national origin. The
7-25 policy statement must include:
7-26 (1) personnel policies, including policies relating to
7-27 recruitment, evaluation, selection, [appointment,] training, and
8-1 promotion of personnel, that show the intent of the commission to
8-2 avoid the unlawful employment practices described by Chapter 21,
8-3 Labor Code; and
8-4 (2) an analysis of the extent to which the composition
8-5 of the commission's personnel is in accordance with state and
8-6 federal law and a description of reasonable methods to achieve
8-7 compliance with state and federal law [;]
8-8 [(2) a comprehensive analysis of the commission's work
8-9 force that meets federal and state guidelines;]
8-10 [(3) procedures by which a determination can be made
8-11 of significant underuse in the agency work force of all persons for
8-12 whom federal or state guidelines encourage a more equitable
8-13 balance; and]
8-14 [(4) reasonable methods to address appropriately areas
8-15 of significant underuse in the agency work force of all persons for
8-16 whom federal or state guidelines encourage a more equitable
8-17 balance].
8-18 (h) The policy statement must:
8-19 (1) be updated annually;
8-20 (2) be reviewed by the state Commission on Human
8-21 Rights for compliance with Subsection (g)(1); and
8-22 (3) be filed with the governor's office [(g) The
8-23 policy statement required by Subsection (f) of this section shall
8-24 be filed with the governor's office before November 1 of each year
8-25 and shall cover the preceding annual period. The governor's office
8-26 shall develop from the information submitted a biennial report to
8-27 the legislature. The report may be made separately or as a part of
9-1 other biennial reports made to the legislature].
9-2 SECTION 10. Section 111.019, Human Resources Code, is
9-3 amended to read as follows:
9-4 Sec. 111.019. PLANNING. The commission [commissioner]
9-5 shall[, with the approval of the board,] make long-range and
9-6 intermediate plans for the scope and development of the program and
9-7 make decisions regarding the allocation of resources in carrying
9-8 out the plans.
9-9 SECTION 11. Section 111.021, Human Resources Code, is
9-10 amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
9-11 (c) The commission shall post on the Internet in an
9-12 accessible format the reports required under this section and any
9-13 other agency performance data required to be reported to this state
9-14 or the federal government. If a report or performance data
9-15 contains confidential information, the commission shall remove the
9-16 confidential information before posting the report or performance
9-17 data.
9-18 SECTION 12. Section 111.022, Human Resources Code, is
9-19 amended to read as follows:
9-20 Sec. 111.022. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. The commission
9-21 [commissioner] shall make certification for disbursement, in
9-22 accordance with regulations, of funds available for carrying out
9-23 the purposes of this chapter.
9-24 SECTION 13. Section 111.023, Human Resources Code, is
9-25 amended to read as follows:
9-26 Sec. 111.023. OTHER DUTIES. The board [commissioner] shall
9-27 take other action as necessary or appropriate to carry out the
10-1 purposes of this chapter.
10-2 SECTION 14. Section 111.024, Human Resources Code, is
10-3 amended to read as follows:
10-4 Sec. 111.024. DELEGATION TO EMPLOYEES. The commissioner
10-5 may, with the approval of the board, delegate to any officer or
10-6 employee of the commission responsibilities of [those powers and
10-7 duties, except the making of regulations and the appointment of
10-8 personnel,] the commissioner as [finds] necessary to carry out the
10-9 purposes of this chapter.
10-10 SECTION 15. Section 111.025, Human Resources Code, is
10-11 amended to read as follows:
10-12 Sec. 111.025. RESTRICTIONS ON BOARD MEMBERSHIP AND
10-13 EMPLOYMENT. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means
10-14 a cooperative and voluntarily joined association of business or
10-15 professional competitors in this state designed to assist its
10-16 members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual
10-17 business or professional problems and in promoting their common
10-18 interest.
10-19 (b) A person may not be a member of the board and may not be
10-20 a commission employee employed in a "bona fide executive,
10-21 administrative, or professional capacity," as that phrase is used
10-22 for purposes of establishing an exemption to the overtime
10-23 provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
10-24 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.) and its subsequent amendments, if:
10-25 (1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid
10-26 consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of
10-27 rehabilitation; or
11-1 (2) the person's spouse is an officer, manager, or
11-2 paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of
11-3 rehabilitation.
11-4 (c) A person may not be a member of the board or act as the
11-5 general counsel to the board or the commission if the person is
11-6 required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government
11-7 Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf
11-8 of a profession related to the operation of the commission [An
11-9 officer, employee, or paid consultant of an organization that
11-10 receives funds from the commission in payment for the provision of
11-11 rehabilitation services may not be a member or employee of the
11-12 board, nor may a person who cohabits with or is the spouse of an
11-13 officer, managerial employee, or paid consultant of such an
11-14 association be a member of the board or an employee of the board
11-15 grade 17 or over, including exempt employees, according to the
11-16 position classification schedule under the General Appropriations
11-17 Act.]
11-18 [(b) A person who is required to register as a lobbyist
11-19 under Chapter 305, Government Code, by virtue of his activities on
11-20 behalf of a provider of rehabilitation services, may not serve as a
11-21 member of the board or act as the general counsel to the board].
11-22 SECTION 16. Section 111.026, Human Resources Code, is
11-23 amended by adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
11-24 (c) The commission shall maintain a file on each written
11-25 complaint filed with the commission. The file must include:
11-26 (1) the name of the person who filed the complaint;
11-27 (2) the date the complaint is received by the
12-1 commission;
12-2 (3) the subject matter of the complaint;
12-3 (4) the name of each person contacted in relation to
12-4 the complaint;
12-5 (5) a summary of the results of the review or
12-6 investigation of the complaint; and
12-7 (6) an explanation of the reason the file was closed
12-8 if the agency closed the file without taking action other than to
12-9 investigate the complaint.
12-10 (d) The commission shall provide to the person filing the
12-11 complaint and to each person who is a subject of the complaint a
12-12 copy of the commission's policies and procedures relating to
12-13 complaint investigation and resolution.
12-14 (e) The commission, at least quarterly until final
12-15 disposition of the complaint, shall notify the person filing the
12-16 complaint and each person who is a subject of the complaint of the
12-17 status of the investigation unless the notice would jeopardize an
12-18 undercover investigation.
12-19 SECTION 17. Section 111.052, Human Resources Code, is
12-20 amended to read as follows:
12-21 Sec. 111.052. GENERAL FUNCTIONS. (a) The commission shall,
12-22 to the extent of resources available and priorities established by
12-23 the board, provide rehabilitation services directly or through
12-24 public or private resources to individuals determined by the
12-25 commission [commissioner] to be eligible for the services under a
12-26 vocational rehabilitation program, an extended rehabilitation
12-27 services program, or other program established to provide
13-1 rehabilitative services.
13-2 (b) In carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the
13-3 commission may:
13-4 (1) cooperate with other departments, agencies,
13-5 political subdivisions, and institutions, both public and private,
13-6 in providing the services authorized by this chapter to eligible
13-7 individuals, in studying the problems involved, and in planning,
13-8 establishing, developing, and providing necessary or desirable
13-9 programs, facilities, and services, including those jointly
13-10 administered with state agencies;
13-11 (2) enter into reciprocal agreements with other
13-12 states;
13-13 (3) establish or construct rehabilitation facilities
13-14 and workshops, contract with or provide grants to agencies,
13-15 organizations, or individuals as necessary to implement this
13-16 chapter, make contracts or other arrangements with public and other
13-17 nonprofit agencies, organizations, or institutions for the
13-18 establishment of workshops and rehabilitation facilities, and
13-19 operate facilities for carrying out the purposes of this chapter;
13-20 (4) conduct research and compile statistics relating
13-21 to the provision of services to or the need for services by
13-22 disabled individuals;
13-23 (5) provide for the establishment, supervision,
13-24 management, and control of small business enterprises to be
13-25 operated by [severely handicapped] individuals with significant
13-26 disabilities where their operation will be improved through the
13-27 management and supervision of the commission;
14-1 (6) contract with schools, hospitals, private
14-2 industrial firms, and other agencies and with doctors, nurses,
14-3 technicians, and other persons for training, physical restoration,
14-4 transportation, and other rehabilitation services; and
14-5 (7) contract with a public or private agency to
14-6 provide and pay for rehabilitative services under the extended
14-7 rehabilitation services program, including alternative sheltered
14-8 employment or community integrated employment for a person
14-9 participating in the program.
14-10 SECTION 18. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Human Resources Code,
14-11 is amended by adding Section 111.0525 to read as follows:
14-12 Sec. 111.0525. COORDINATION WITH STATE AGENCIES. (a) The
14-13 commission shall target extended rehabilitation services to those
14-14 individuals who are not eligible to receive similar services from
14-15 the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or
14-16 another agency.
14-17 (b) The commission shall enter into an agreement with the
14-18 Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to reduce
14-19 duplication and fragmentation of employment services by defining
14-20 each agency's role and responsibilities for shared client
14-21 populations.
14-22 (c) The commission shall establish a formal referral process
14-23 with the Texas Workforce Commission to ensure that appropriate
14-24 vocational rehabilitation clients are referred to and receive
14-25 services provided by the Texas Workforce Commission or local
14-26 workforce development agencies.
14-27 SECTION 19. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Human Resources Code,
15-1 is amended by adding Section 111.0551 to read as follows:
15-2 Sec. 111.0551. PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES. In carrying
15-3 out the purposes of this chapter, the commission shall:
15-4 (1) meet health care industry standards in the
15-5 approval of medical services for clients, including the
15-6 advisability of obtaining second opinions;
15-7 (2) adopt a system of quality control that includes
15-8 medical consultation;
15-9 (3) where applicable, include an assessment of whether
15-10 the medical services will benefit the client's ability to return to
15-11 work; and
15-12 (4) conduct an analysis of the risk associated with
15-13 funding medical procedures and maintain a risk management plan that
15-14 reflects current medical knowledge and expertise.
15-15 SECTION 20. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Human Resources Code,
15-16 is amended by adding Section 111.0552 to read as follows:
15-17 Sec. 111.0552. RATES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES. (a) The board
15-18 shall adopt rules and standards governing the determination of
15-19 rates the commission will pay for medical services and health care
15-20 services.
15-21 (b) Annually, the board shall adopt by rule a schedule of
15-22 rates based on the rules and standards adopted under Subsection
15-23 (a). In adopting the rate schedule, the board shall:
15-24 (1) compare the proposed rate schedule to other
15-25 cost-based rates for medical services, including Medicaid and
15-26 Medicare rates; and
15-27 (2) for any rate adopted that exceeds the Medicare or
16-1 Medicaid rate, document the reasons why the rate adopted ensures
16-2 the best value in the use of dollars for clients.
16-3 (c) The board shall hold a public hearing before adopting
16-4 rules under this section to allow interested persons to present
16-5 comments.
16-6 SECTION 21. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Human Resources Code,
16-7 is amended by adding Section 111.0553 to read as follows:
16-8 Sec. 111.0553. PROCUREMENT METHODS. The commission shall
16-9 develop and, following review and approval by the board, implement
16-10 agency-wide procurement procedures to:
16-11 (1) ensure compliance with the best-value purchasing
16-12 requirements of Section 2155.144(c), Government Code;
16-13 (2) document that a best-value review of vendors has
16-14 occurred;
16-15 (3) document the reasons for selecting a vendor;
16-16 (4) negotiate price discounts with high-volume
16-17 vendors;
16-18 (5) consolidate purchases with other agencies,
16-19 including the Texas Department of Health and the General Services
16-20 Commission, to achieve best value; and
16-21 (6) provide effective public notification to potential
16-22 vendors of planned commission purchases.
16-23 SECTION 22. Chapter 111, Human Resources Code, is amended by
16-24 adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
16-25 SUBCHAPTER D. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
16-26 Sec. 111.070. PROVISION OF SERVICES. (a) The board by rule
16-27 shall establish and maintain guidelines for providing vocational
17-1 rehabilitation services that are consistent with state and federal
17-2 laws and regulations and that include:
17-3 (1) a system of organization for the delivery of
17-4 vocational rehabilitation services statewide;
17-5 (2) eligibility requirements for vocational
17-6 rehabilitation services;
17-7 (3) requirements for the rehabilitation planning
17-8 process;
17-9 (4) the types of services that may be provided to a
17-10 client through a vocational rehabilitation program; and
17-11 (5) requirements for client participation in the costs
17-12 of vocational rehabilitation services, including documentation that
17-13 a client has sought benefits for which the client is eligible from
17-14 sources other than the commission and that may assist the client in
17-15 obtaining vocational rehabilitation goods or services.
17-16 (b) The board shall annually assess the effectiveness of the
17-17 state's vocational rehabilitation program.
17-18 Sec. 111.071. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION OF COUNSELORS.
17-19 (a) The commission shall provide specific guidance to vocational
17-20 rehabilitation counselors in:
17-21 (1) selecting vocational objectives according to a
17-22 client's skills, experience, and knowledge;
17-23 (2) documenting a client's impediment to employment;
17-24 (3) selecting rehabilitation services that are
17-25 reasonable and necessary to achieve a client's vocational
17-26 objective;
17-27 (4) measuring client progress toward the vocational
18-1 objective, including the documented, periodic evaluation of the
18-2 client's rehabilitation and participation; and
18-3 (5) determining eligibility of employed and unemployed
18-4 applicants for rehabilitation services using criteria defined by
18-5 board rule to document whether a client is substantially
18-6 underemployed or at risk of losing employment.
18-7 (b) The board by rule shall require monitoring and oversight
18-8 of vocational rehabilitation counselor performance and decision
18-9 making in accordance with this section.
18-10 Sec. 111.072. CLIENT ORIENTATION MATERIALS. The commission
18-11 shall develop and distribute at intake client orientation materials
18-12 for the vocational rehabilitation program that include information
18-13 on the commission's decision-making criteria.
18-14 Sec. 111.073. TRANSITION PLANNING. The commission shall:
18-15 (1) assess the statewide need for services necessary
18-16 to prepare students with disabilities for a successful transition
18-17 to employment;
18-18 (2) establish collaborative relationships with each
18-19 school district with education service centers to the maximum
18-20 extent possible within available resources; and
18-21 (3) develop strategies to assist vocational
18-22 rehabilitation counselors in identifying and reaching students in
18-23 need of transition planning.
18-24 SECTION 23. Section 302.021, Labor Code, is amended by
18-25 adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
18-26 (d) To the extent permitted under federal law, the division
18-27 shall promote and monitor services provided to persons with
19-1 disabilities, including persons referred from the Texas
19-2 Rehabilitation Commission.
19-3 SECTION 24. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
19-4 SECTION 25. (a) The board of the Texas Rehabilitation
19-5 Commission shall adopt each rule required to implement the changes
19-6 in law made by this Act not later than January 1, 2000.
19-7 (b) Section 111.0132, Human Resources Code, as added by this
19-8 Act, does not apply to a member of the board of the Texas
19-9 Rehabilitation Commission appointed before the effective date of
19-10 this Act for the remainder of that member's term.
19-11 SECTION 26. The importance of this legislation and the
19-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
19-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
19-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
19-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.