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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to creation of an employment-first task force advisory |
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committee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.02449 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.02449. EMPLOYMENT-FIRST TASK FORCE ADVISORY |
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COMMITTEE. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. |
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(2) "Task force" means the interagency |
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employment-first task force established under Section 531.02448. |
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(b) The task force shall establish an advisory committee to |
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make recommendations for increasing and expanding postsecondary |
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educational opportunities and access for individuals with |
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intellectual or developmental disabilities. |
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(c) The presiding officer of the task force, after |
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consulting with the task force, shall name the members of the |
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advisory committee. The advisory committee: |
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(1) may not: |
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(A) consist of more than 11 members; or |
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(B) include members of the task force; and |
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(2) must at least include the following members: |
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(A) an individual with an intellectual or |
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developmental disability; |
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(B) a family member of an individual with an |
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intellectual or developmental disability; |
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(C) an advocate for individuals with |
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intellectual or developmental disabilities; |
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(D) a representative of the Texas Council for |
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Developmental Disabilities; |
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(E) a representative of the Department of |
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Assistive and Rehabilitative Services; |
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(F) a representative of the Department of Aging |
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and Disability Services; |
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(G) a representative of the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board; |
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(H) a representative of the Texas Workforce |
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Commission; |
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(I) a representative of the Texas Education |
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Agency; and |
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(J) a representative of an institution of higher |
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education. |
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(d) A member of the advisory committee serves at the will of |
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the task force. |
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(e) The advisory committee shall elect a presiding officer |
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of the committee. |
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(f) The advisory committee established under this section |
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shall: |
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(1) set appropriate outcomes and goals; |
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(2) survey institutions of higher education for: |
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(A) programs that serve individuals with |
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intellectual or developmental disabilities; and |
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(B) plans to provide or interest in providing |
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those programs; |
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(3) research existing programs in and model programs |
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outside this state; |
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(4) propose expansion options for existing programs or |
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the implementation of new programs, including potential funding |
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options for those programs; |
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(5) determine regional deficiencies; |
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(6) leverage existing private and nonprofit efforts |
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and partnerships; |
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(7) periodically make recommendations to the Texas |
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Higher Education Coordinating Board and institutions of higher |
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education regarding action the entities should take to increase |
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postsecondary opportunities and access for individuals with |
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intellectual or developmental disabilities; and |
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(8) make recommendations on legislative policy |
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changes affecting postsecondary education for individuals with |
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intellectual or developmental disabilities. |
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(g) Not later than September 1, 2016, the advisory committee |
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shall prepare and submit to the office of the governor, the |
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legislature, and the executive commissioner a report regarding the |
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committee's findings and recommendations. |
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(h) A member of the advisory committee established under |
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this section is not entitled to compensation. Members may be |
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reimbursed for expenses as follows: |
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(1) a member described by Subsection (c)(2)(A), (B), |
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or (C) is entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary |
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expenses as provided in the General Appropriations Act; and |
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(2) a member appointed as a representative of a state |
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agency is eligible for reimbursement for travel and other necessary |
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expenses according to the applicable agency's policies. |
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(i) The commission and the health and human services |
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agencies shall provide administrative support and staff to the |
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advisory committee established under this section. |
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(j) This section expires September 1, 2017. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2016, the presiding |
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officer of the employment-first task force shall appoint the |
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members of the advisory committee under Section 531.02449, |
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Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |