BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 882
79R4860 MSE-F By: Lucio
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Disorders (council) definitions and duties need to be updated and changed based on recent name changes. As proposed, S.B. 882 reflects state agency name changes that were made during the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003. Additionally, S.B. 882 includes several provisions designed to increase stakeholder involvement in council decisions.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Chapter 114, Human Resources Code, to read as follows:
CHAPTER 114. TEXAS COUNCIL ON AUTISM AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
SECTION 2. Amends Section 114.001, Human Resources Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 114.002, Human Resources Code, to redefine "autism" and "council."
SECTION 4. Amends the heading to Section 114.003, Human Resources Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 114.003. COUNCIL.
SECTION 5. Amends Sections 114.003(a) and (b), Human Resources Code, to make a conforming change and to provides that the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (council) includes one representative from the Department of Aging and Disability Services, rather than the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR); the Department of State Health Services, rather than the Texas Department of Health; the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), rather than the Texas Department of Human Services; the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, rather than the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; and the Department of Family and Protective Services, rather than the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 114.004, Human Resources Code, to authorize the council to require the employment of staff to carry out the responsibilities of the council, rather than to perform clerical duties. Requires the executive commissioner of HHSC (executive commissioner), rather than the commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services, to determine which agency must employ staff for the council and what funding resources shall be used for the council.
SECTION 7. Amends Section 114.005, Human Resources Code, by amending Subsection (b), and adding Subsection (c), as follows:
(b) Requires the chair of the council, rather than the task force, to appoint the chair of the task force and requires the task force to meet and serve in accordance with council rules. Deletes existing text pertaining to the task force electing its own chairperson.
(c) Authorizes a member of the task force to be appointed or removed without cause by a majority vote of the public members of the council present at a council meeting.
SECTION 8. Amends Sections 114.007(a), (b), and (c), Human Resources Code, as follows:
(a) Requires the council to provide recommendations to HHSC and other appropriate state agencies, rather than TDMHMR, responsible for implementing this chapter, including recommendations relating to the use of funds appropriated to HHSC or another health and human services agency, rather than TDMHMR, to provide services to persons with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders.
(b) Includes that the council, with the advice of the advisory task force and input from people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, their families, and related advocacy agencies, is required to address contemporary issues affecting certain services available to persons with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders in this state.
(c) Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 9. Amends 114.008, Human Resources Code, to require, not later than November 1 of each year, the council to prepare and deliver to the executive commissioner, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house a report summarizing the recommendations. Requires the council to develop a strategy for establishing new programs to meet the requirements identified through the council's review and assessment and from input from the task force, people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, their families, and related advocacy agencies, rather than by agencies and the public members.
SECTION 10. Amends Section 114.010, Human Resources Code, by adding Subsection (d), to require funds to be appropriated from available resources to allow the council to fund services and activities serving people with autism or related pervasive developmental disorders in this state.
SECTION 11. Amends Section 114.001(c), Human Resources Code, to require the council to develop with HHSC and any agency designated by HHSC, rather than TDMHMR, procedures for allocating available funds to programs approved under this section.
SECTION 12. Effective date: September 1, 2005.