By: Zaffirini, Deuell S.B. No. 1870
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the implementation of the community living options
information process for certain adults with mental retardation at
certain institutions.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.02443 to read as follows:
       Sec. 531.02443.  IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY LIVING OPTIONS
INFORMATION PROCESS AT STATE INSTITUTIONS FOR CERTAIN ADULT
RESIDENTS.  (a)  In this section:
             (1)  "Adult resident" means a person with mental
retardation who:
                   (A)  is at least 22 years of age; and
                   (B)  resides in a state school.
             (2)  "Department" means the Department of Aging and
Disability Services.
             (3)  "Legally authorized representative" has the
meaning assigned by Section 241.151, Health and Safety Code.
             (4)  "Local mental retardation authority" has the
meaning assigned by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code.
             (5)  "State school" has the meaning assigned by Section
531.002, Health and Safety Code.
       (b)  This section applies only to the community living
options information process for an adult resident.
       (c)  The department shall contract with local mental
retardation authorities to implement the community living options
information process required by Section 531.02442 for an adult
resident.
       (d)  The contract with the local mental retardation
authority must:
             (1)  delegate to the local mental retardation authority
the department's duties under Section 531.02442 with regard to the
implementation of the community living options information process
at a state school;
             (2)  include performance measures designed to assist
the department in evaluating the effectiveness of a local mental
retardation authority in implementing the community living options
information process; and
             (3)  ensure that the local mental retardation authority
provides service coordination and relocation services to an adult
resident who chooses, is eligible for, and is recommended by the
interdisciplinary team for a community living option to facilitate
a timely, appropriate, and successful transition from the state
school to the community living option.
       (e)  The department, with the advice and assistance of the
interagency task force on ensuring appropriate care settings for
persons with disabilities and representatives of family members or
legally authorized representatives of adult residents, persons
with mental retardation, state schools, and local mental
retardation authorities, shall:
             (1)  develop an effective community living options
information process;
             (2)  create uniform procedures for the implementation
of the community living options information process; and
             (3)  minimize any potential conflict of interest
regarding the community living options information process between
a state school and an adult resident, an adult resident's legally
authorized representative, or a local mental retardation
authority.
       (f)  A state school shall:
             (1)  allow a local mental retardation authority to
participate in the interdisciplinary planning process involving
the consideration of community living options for an adult
resident;
             (2)  to the extent not otherwise prohibited by state or
federal confidentiality laws, provide a local mental retardation
authority with access to an adult resident and an adult resident's
records to assist the authority in implementing the community
living options information process; and
             (3)  provide the adult resident or the adult resident's
legally authorized representative with accurate information
regarding the risks of moving the adult resident to a community
living option.
       SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
       SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.