78R8797 DLF-D

By:  Truitt                                                       H.B. No. 3125



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain programs provided by the Texas Commission for 
the Blind.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 91.027(a) and (b), Human Resources 
Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  To the extent that funds are available under Sections 
521.421(f) and 521.422(b), Transportation Code, the [The] 
commission shall [develop a Blindness Education, Screening, and 
Treatment Program to] provide:
		(1)  blindness prevention education and [to provide] 
screening and treatment to prevent blindness for residents who are 
not covered under an adequate health benefit plan; and
		(2)  transition services to blind disabled individuals 
eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under Section 
91.052.
	(b)  [The commission shall implement the program only to the 
extent that funds are available under Section 521.421(f), 
Transportation Code.]  The program established under this section 
shall include:
		(1)  public education about blindness and other eye 
conditions;             
		(2)  screenings and eye examinations to identify 
conditions that may cause blindness; [and]
		(3)  treatment procedures necessary to prevent 
blindness; and        
		(4)  transition services.                                              
	SECTION 2.  The section heading for Section 91.027, Human 
Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 91.027.  BLINDNESS EDUCATION, SCREENING, [AND] 
TREATMENT, AND TRANSITION SERVICES [PROGRAM].
	SECTION 3.  Section 521.421(f), Transportation Code, as 
added  by Chapter 510, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular 
Session, 1997, is amended to read as follows:
	(f)  The department shall collect an additional fee of $1 for 
the issuance or renewal of a license to fund the program [Blindness 
Education, Screening, and Treatment Program] established under 
Section 91.027, Human Resources Code, if the person applying for or 
renewing a license opts to pay the additional fee.
	SECTION 4.  Section 521.422(b), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The department shall collect an additional fee of $1 for 
the issuance or renewal of a personal identification card to fund 
the program [Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment 
Program] established under Section 91.027, Human Resources Code, if 
the person applying for or renewing a personal identification card 
opts to pay the additional fee.
	SECTION 5.  The Texas Commission for the Blind shall 
establish the consolidated program under Section 91.027, Human 
Resources Code, as amended by this Act, not later than the 90th day 
after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.