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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a wellness grant program for |
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individuals with disabilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 117, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 117.077 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 117.077. WELLNESS GRANT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN |
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INDIVIDUALS. (a) The department shall establish a program to award |
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grants to public and nonprofit organizations that promote good |
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health, disease prevention, and wellness for individuals with |
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disabilities. |
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(b) To apply for a grant under this section, an applicant |
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must submit an application in the form and manner prescribed by the |
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department. |
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(c) The types of programs that may be funded by grants under |
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this section include: |
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(1) programs designed to assist with smoking |
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cessation, weight control, nutrition, or fitness that focus on the |
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unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities; |
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(2) preventive health screening programs to reduce the |
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incidence of secondary conditions; and |
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(3) athletic, exercise, or sports programs that |
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provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to increase |
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the individual's level of physical activity in a dedicated or |
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adaptive recreational environment. |
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(d) The executive commissioner may appoint an advisory |
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committee consisting of interested individuals with relevant |
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expertise to: |
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(1) review grant applications and make |
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recommendations to the department; and |
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(2) evaluate the progress of the program. |
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(e) The department shall establish an outreach program to |
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inform public and nonprofit organizations of the existence of the |
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grant program and the application requirements. |
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(f) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, |
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the department shall submit a report to the legislature summarizing |
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the activities, funding, and outcomes of programs awarded a grant |
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under this section and providing recommendations regarding the |
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grant program. |
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(g) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations of money from the federal government, local governments, |
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private corporations, and other persons to be used for the purposes |
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of the grant program. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |