S.B. No. 45
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the provision of employment assistance and supported
  employment to certain Medicaid waiver program participants.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 32.075 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.075.  EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTED
  EMPLOYMENT. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Employment assistance" means assistance provided
  to an individual to help the individual locate paid employment in
  the community.  Employment assistance includes:
                     (A)  identifying an individual's employment
  preferences, job skills, and requirements for a work setting and
  work conditions;
                     (B)  locating prospective employers offering
  employment compatible with an individual's identified preferences,
  skills, and requirements; and
                     (C)  contacting a prospective employer on behalf
  of an individual and negotiating the individual's employment.
               (2)  "Supported employment" means assistance provided,
  in order to sustain paid employment, to an individual who, because
  of a disability, requires intensive, ongoing support to be
  self-employed, work from home, or perform in a work setting at which
  individuals without disabilities are employed.  Supported
  employment includes adaptations, supervision, and training related
  to an individual's diagnosis.
         (b)  This section applies only to the following medical
  assistance waiver programs:
               (1)  the community based alternatives program;
               (2)  the community living assistance and support
  services program;
               (3)  the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities
  program;
               (4)  the home and community-based services program;
               (5)  the medically dependent children program;
               (6)  the STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed care program;
               (7)  the Texas home living program; and
               (8)  the youth empowerment services program.
         (c)  The department shall provide employment assistance and
  supported employment to participants in the waiver programs
  identified in Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  As soon as possible after the effective date of
  this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall apply for
  any waiver or other authorization necessary to implement this Act.  
  The commission may delay implementing this Act until the waiver or
  authorization is granted.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 45 passed the Senate on
  April 11, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 45 passed the House on
  May 17, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 128, Nays 6, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor