By: Rodriguez, Davis of Harris, Naishtat, H.B. No. 1230

Rose, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to services provided to youth with disabilities transitioning from school-oriented living to post-schooling activities, services for adults, and community living.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.02445 to read as follows:

Sec. 531.02445. TRANSITION SERVICES FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. (a) The executive commissioner shall monitor programs and services offered through health and human services agencies designed to assist youth with disabilities to transition from school-oriented living to post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living.

(b) In monitoring the programs and services, the executive commissioner shall:

(1) consider whether the programs or services result in positive outcomes in the employment, community integration, health, and quality of life of individuals with disabilities; and

(2) collect information regarding the outcomes of the transition process as necessary to assess the programs and services.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 117, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 117.058 to read as follows:

Sec. 117.058. SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES. (a) The department shall establish and require employee participation in a specialized training program for certain employees, including vocational rehabilitation transition specialists and transition counselors, whose duties involve assisting youth with disabilities to transition to post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living.

(b) The training program must provide employees with information regarding:

(1) supports and services available from other health and human services agencies for:

(A) youth with disabilities who are transitioning into post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living; and

(B) adults with disabilities;

(2) community resources available to improve the quality of life for:

(A) youth with disabilities who are transitioning into post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living; and

(B) adults with disabilities; and

(3) other available resources that may remove transitional barriers for youth with disabilities who are transitioning into post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living.

(c) In developing the training program required by this section, the department shall collaborate with other health and human services agencies as necessary.

SECTION 3. (a) In this section:

(1) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.

(2) "Health and human services agency" means a health and human services agency listed in Section 531.001, Government Code, that regulates the care or treatment of a resident of a facility.

(b) The executive commissioner shall establish a work group to create and implement a plan to:

(1) ensure that an individual with a disability who is transitioning into post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living has choices about the individual's work and career and has the opportunity and support necessary to seek individualized, competitive employment in the community;

(2) improve the collaboration between health and human services agencies, other state agencies, and community and local service providers to maximize existing supported employment resources; and

(3) increase the quality and quantity of available supported employment opportunities.

(c) The executive commissioner shall determine the number of members to serve on the work group. The executive commissioner shall appoint as members of the work group:

(1) a representative of the Department of State Health Services;

(2) a representative of the Department of Aging and Disability Services;

(3) a representative of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services;

(4) a representative of the Health and Human Services Commission;

(5) a representative of the Texas Workforce Commission;

(6) a representative of the Texas Education Agency;

(7) a representative who is a recognized expert on, or who represents the interests of, youth with disabilities who are transitioning to post-schooling activities, services for adults, or community living; and

(8) additional members who are recognized experts on, or who represent the interests of, individuals with disabilities, including advocates, family members, physicians, providers of 1915(c) waiver services, employers currently offering supported employment opportunities, and community and local service providers with experience in supported employment.

(d) In developing the plan, the work group shall focus on:

(1) increasing the quality of services and resulting employment outcomes across disabilities; and

(2) increasing the cooperation among agencies and community providers in the development and provision of seamless supported employment services.

(e) Not later than April 1, 2008, the work group shall file its recommended plan with the executive commissioner.

(f) The executive commissioner:

(1) not later than November 1, 2007, shall establish the work group under Subsection (b) of this section;

(2) not later than October 1, 2008, shall adopt rules necessary to implement the plan recommended by the work group; and

(3) not later than January 1, 2009, shall present to the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives for consideration by the 81st Legislature a report that describes the actions taken by the health and human services agencies to implement the plan recommended by the work group and any actions the agencies intend to take during the next biennium in accordance with the recommended plan.

(g) This section expires September 1, 2009.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.