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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot project to evaluate the use of radio frequency |
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identification technology to transmit information regarding |
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residents of certain group homes. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 161, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 161.088 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.088. RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TECHNOLOGY |
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PILOT PROJECT. (a) In this section, "radio frequency |
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identification technology" means a wireless identification system |
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that uses an electromagnetic radio frequency signal to transmit |
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data without physical contact between a card, badge, or tag and |
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another device. |
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(b) The department shall develop and implement a one-year |
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pilot project in which a resident of a group home, other than a |
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foster home, at which a Home and Community-based Services (HCS) |
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provider provides services may use an identification device that |
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uses radio frequency identification technology or similar |
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technology to identify the resident, transmit information |
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regarding the resident, or track the location of the resident. |
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(c) Before a resident may use an identification device |
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described in Subsection (b), the department must obtain the written |
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consent of the resident or the resident's guardian, as appropriate. |
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(d) The department may not require a resident to pay for an |
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identification device described in Subsection (b) as a condition of |
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participating in the pilot project. |
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(e) Not later than December 1, 2017, the department shall |
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submit a report to the legislature evaluating the pilot project. |
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(f) This section expires September 1, 2019. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2016, the Department of |
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Aging and Disability Services shall ensure that the pilot project |
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required by Section 161.088, Human Resources Code, as added by this |
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Act, is in operation. |
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SECTION 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |