BILL ANALYSIS
|
Senate Research Center |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
To receive federal funding through the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, states must establish and maintain a state council for developmental disabilities. Federal law prohibits the state council from being an agency that provides or pays for services to individuals with developmental disabilities. In Texas, the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) serves in this role and is administratively attached to the Texas Education Agency.
The federal government funds TCDD—about $5 million annually—to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Primarily, TCDD awards grants for projects that focus on supporting education, employment, and community capacity for people with developmental disabilities.
TCDD is subject to the Sunset Act and will be abolished on September 1, 2015, unless continued by the legislature. The Sunset Advisory Commission determined that Texas continues to need TCDD to receive federal funds to identify and address the most pressing needs of Texans with developmental disabilities to allow them to gain more control over their lives.
H.B. 1679 continues TCDD for 12 years, until 2027.
H.B. 1679 amends current law relating to the continuation of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 112.023, Human Resources Code, as follows:
Sec. 112.023. SUNSET PROVISION. Provides that the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (council) is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act), Government Code. Provides that, unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the council is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2027, rather than September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.