SRC-JEC C.S.S.B. 361 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 361
77R11429 YDB-DBy: Lucio
Health & Human Services
4/3/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Interagency Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders
(council) was created in 1987 for the purpose of developing a state plan to
provide services to persons with autism or a pervasive developmental
disorder.  C.S.S.B. 361 updates the composition of the council and allows
for expenditures for staff and reimbursement for council members. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 114.003(b)-(e) and (g), Human Resources Code, as
follows: 

(b)  Provides that the Interagency Council on Autism and Pervasive
Developmental Disorders (council) is composed of seven, rather than two,
public members, the majority of whom are family members of a person with
autism or a pervasive developmental disorder, and one representative from
each of certain state agencies, to serve as ex officio members, including
the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention.  Deletes language
requiring the appointment of the representatives by the commissioner of the
respective agency. 

(c)  Requires the commissioner or executive head of each state agency to
appoint a person as that agency's representative.  Limits the capacities of
an ex officio member. 

(d)  Entitles a public member to reimbursement of the travel expenses
incurred by the public member while conducting the business of the council,
as provided in the General Appropriations Act.  Deletes text prohibiting
compensation and reimbursement of expenses. Makes a conforming change. 

(e)  Makes conforming changes.

 (g)  Makes a conforming change.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 114.004, Human Resources Code, to authorize the
council to require the employment of staff to perform clerical duties.
Requires the commissioner to determine which agency must employ clerical
staff for the council.  Deletes language prohibiting spending funds on
staff salaries. 

SECTION 3.  Repealer:  Section 114.006(c) (State Plan), Human Resources
Code. 

SECTION 4.  Requires the governor, as soon as possible after the effective
date of this Act, to appoint five new members to the council as required by
Section 114.003, Human Resources Code, as amended by this Act. 
 
SECTION 5.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original by prohibiting compensation for a public council
member, while still allowing reimbursement of travel expenses.   

Differs from the original by authorizing the council to require an agency
to employ clerical staff for the council, rather than authorizing the
council to employ staff.  Adds the provision requiring the commissioner to
determine which agency is required to employ the staff.