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. Sections 531.052(b) and (g), 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.