| TO: | Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1144 by Zaffirini (Relating to the establishment of a volunteer-supported decision-making advocate pilot program for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and persons with other cognitive disabilities.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend Chapter 531 of the Government Code by adding a new section that would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to establish a volunteer-supported decision-making advocate pilot program in at least one urban and one rural area for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and persons with other cognitive disabilities. HHSC would be required to convene a workgroup to develop the rules and structure of the program and to contract with a private or nonprofit entity to administer the program. HHSC would also be required to publish a report before each legislative session that includes an evaluation of the program and a recommendation to expand, continue or eliminate the program. This new section would expire September 1, 2013.
The Health and Human Services Commission indicates that there would be some cost to implement the provisions of the bill, but it is assumed that these costs could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 539 Aging and Disability Services, Department of
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, CL, MB, LR, VJC
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