H.B. No. 1230
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1230 was passed by the House on April
  18, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1230 was passed by the Senate on May
  17, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor