By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 153


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the name, composition, and continuation of the work 
group created for implementation of the voucher payment program for 
certain persons with disabilities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading of Section 531.052, Government Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 531.052.  CONSUMER DIRECTED SERVICES [VOUCHER PAYMENT 
PROGRAM] WORK GROUP.
	SECTION 2.  Subsections (b) and (g), Section 531.052, 
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The work group is composed of:                                            
		(1)  representatives of the commission, appointed by 
the commissioner;      
		(2)  representatives of the Texas Department of Human 
Services, appointed by the commissioner of that agency;
		(3)  representatives of the Texas Department of Mental 
Health and Mental Retardation, appointed by the commissioner of 
that agency;
		(4)  representatives of the Texas Department of Health, 
appointed by the commissioner of that agency;
		(5)  representatives of the Texas Rehabilitation 
Commission, appointed by the commissioner of that agency;
		(6)  consumers of services provided under the voucher 
payment pilot project under former Section 22.0325, Human Resources 
Code, jointly appointed by the commissioner and the commissioner of 
the Texas Department of Human Services;
		(7)  persons with disabilities, including persons with 
mental illness and persons with mental retardation, who are 
consumers or potential consumers of services provided under the 
voucher payment program, appointed by the commissioner;
		(8)  advocates for persons with disabilities, 
including persons with mental illness and persons with mental 
retardation, appointed by the commissioner; [and]
		(9)  providers of services to be provided under the 
voucher payment program, appointed by the commissioner;
		(10)  representatives of the Texas Workforce 
Commission, appointed by the executive director of that commission; 
and
		(11)  representatives of any other state agency as 
considered necessary by the commissioner, appointed by the 
governing body of their respective agency.
	(g)  This section expires September 1, 2007 [2003].    
	SECTION 3.  The commissioner of health and human services 
and the executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission shall 
ensure that, not later than January 1, 2004, the composition of the 
membership of the work group created to assist the Health and Human 
Services Commission in implementing the voucher payment program 
under Section 531.051, Government Code, complies with the 
requirements of Section 531.052, Government Code, as amended by 
this Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.