By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 1218

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to voluntary donations collected through the Blindness, Education, Screening and Treatment program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 91.027, Human Resource Code, is amended by amending subsection (a) and amending subsection (b) to read as follow: (a) To the extent that funds are available under Transportation Code, Section 521.421(f) and Section 521.422(b), 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 for young blind Texans eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under Section 91.052, Human Resources Code, (b) [The commission shall implement the program only to the extent that funds are available under Section 521.421(f), Transportation Code.] The program 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. (c) The commission by rule shall prescribe eligibility requirements for the program. SECTION 2. 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.