79R12285 KEG-D


By:  Jones of Dallas                                              H.B. No. 2459

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2459:                                   

By:  Allen of Harris                                          C.S.H.B. No. 2459



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of homeland security training 
programs for older persons by the Department of Aging and 
Disability Services.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 161, Human Resources Code, 
is amended by adding Section 161.074 to read as follows:
	Sec. 161.074.  HOMELAND SECURITY TRAINING PROGRAMS.  (a)  In 
this section, "older person" means a person who is 60 years of age 
or older.
	(b)  After notifying the office of the governor in accordance 
with Section 421.072(b), Government Code, the department, with the 
assistance of the Department of Public Safety, shall apply for 
federal funding available to provide homeland security training for 
older persons.
	(c)  If the department receives a federal grant for homeland 
security training for older persons, the department, with the 
assistance of the Department of Public Safety, shall:
		(1)  establish and operate a program to provide older 
persons with training on homeland security issues that affect their 
safety and well-being; and
		(2)  seek assistance from appropriate state agencies, 
local governments, or other organizations in administering the 
training.
	(d)  Training provided by the department under this section 
must be consistent with the governor's homeland security strategy 
developed under Chapter 421, Government Code, and must educate 
older persons about related programs and resources that are 
available to provide additional assistance, such as family safety 
plans, emergency management resources for persons with 
disabilities, and bioterrorism disaster preparedness resources.
	SECTION 2.  Unless otherwise instructed by the office of the 
governor, not later than January 1, 2006, the Department of Aging 
and Disability Services shall:
		(1)  apply for federal funding available for homeland 
security training of older persons as required by Section 161.074, 
Human Resources Code, as added by this Act; and
		(2)  develop procedures to administer a homeland 
security training program for older persons in accordance with that 
section.
	SECTION 3.  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, 2005.