S.B. No. 1881
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing supported decision-making agreements for
  certain adults with disabilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle I, Title 3, Estates Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 1357 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 1357.  SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING AGREEMENT ACT
  SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 1357.001.  SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as
  the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act.
         Sec. 1357.002.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Adult" means an individual 18 years of age or
  older or an individual under 18 years of age who has had the
  disabilities of minority removed.
               (2)  "Disability" means, with respect to an individual,
  a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or
  more major life activities.
               (3)  "Supported decision-making" means a process of
  supporting and accommodating an adult with a disability to enable
  the adult to make life decisions, including decisions related to
  where the adult wants to live, the services, supports, and medical
  care the adult wants to receive, whom the adult wants to live with,
  and where the adult wants to work, without impeding the
  self-determination of the adult.
               (4)  "Supported decision-making agreement" is an
  agreement between an adult with a disability and a supporter
  entered into under this chapter.
               (5)  "Supporter" means an adult who has entered into a
  supported decision-making agreement with an adult with a
  disability.
         Sec. 1357.003.  PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to
  recognize a less restrictive alternative to guardianship for adults
  with disabilities who need assistance with decisions regarding
  daily living but who are not considered incapacitated persons for
  purposes of establishing a guardianship under this title.
  SUBCHAPTER B.  SCOPE OF AGREEMENT AND AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS
         Sec. 1357.051.  SCOPE OF SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING
  AGREEMENT. An adult with a disability may voluntarily, without
  undue influence or coercion, enter into a supported decision-making
  agreement with a supporter under which the adult with a disability
  authorizes the supporter to do any or all of the following:
               (1)  provide supported decision-making, including
  assistance in understanding the options, responsibilities, and
  consequences of the adult's life decisions, without making those
  decisions on behalf of the adult with a disability;
               (2)  subject to Section 1357.054, assist the adult in
  accessing, collecting, and obtaining information that is relevant
  to a given life decision, including medical, psychological,
  financial, educational, or treatment records, from any person;
               (3)  assist the adult with a disability in
  understanding the information described by Subdivision (2); and
               (4)  assist the adult in communicating the adult's
  decisions to appropriate persons.
         Sec. 1357.052.  AUTHORITY OF SUPPORTER.  A supporter may
  exercise the authority granted to the supporter in the supported
  decision-making agreement.
         Sec. 1357.053.  TERM OF AGREEMENT.  (a)  Except as provided
  by Subsection (b), the supported decision-making agreement extends
  until terminated by either party or by the terms of the agreement.
         (b)  The supported decision-making agreement is terminated
  if:
               (1)  the Department of Family and Protective Services
  finds that the adult with a disability has been abused, neglected,
  or exploited by the supporter; or
               (2)  the supporter is found criminally liable for
  conduct described by Subdivision (1).
         Sec. 1357.054.  ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION. (a)  A
  supporter is only authorized to assist the adult with a disability
  in accessing, collecting, or obtaining information that is relevant
  to a decision authorized under the supported decision-making
  agreement.
         (b)  If a supporter assists an adult with a disability in
  accessing, collecting, or obtaining personal information,
  including protected health information under the Health Insurance
  Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191) or
  educational records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
  Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g), the supporter shall ensure
  the information is kept privileged and confidential, as applicable,
  and is not subject to unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
         (c)  The existence of a supported decision-making agreement
  does not preclude an adult with a disability from seeking personal
  information without the assistance of a supporter.
         Sec. 1357.055.  AUTHORIZING AND WITNESSING OF SUPPORTED
  DECISION-MAKING AGREEMENT. (a)  A supported decision-making
  agreement must be signed voluntarily, without coercion or undue
  influence, by the adult with a disability and the supporter in the
  presence of two or more subscribing witnesses or a notary public.
         (b)  If signed before two witnesses, the attesting witnesses
  must be at least 14 years of age.
         Sec. 1357.056.  FORM OF SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING
  AGREEMENT. (a)  Subject to Subsection (b), a supported
  decision-making agreement is valid only if it is in substantially
  the following form:
  SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING AGREEMENT
  Appointment of Supporter
         I, (insert your name), make this agreement of my own free
  will.
         I agree and designate that:
         Name:
         Address:
         Phone Number:
         E-mail Address:
  is my supporter. My supporter may help me with making everyday life
  decisions relating to the following:
         Y/N     obtaining food, clothing, and shelter
         Y/N     taking care of my physical health
         Y/N     managing my financial affairs.
         My supporter is not allowed to make decisions for me.  To help
  me with my decisions, my supporter may:
         1.  Help me access, collect, or obtain information that is
  relevant to a decision, including medical, psychological,
  financial, educational, or treatment records;
         2.  Help me understand my options so I can make an informed
  decision; or
         3.  Help me communicate my decision to appropriate persons.
         Y/N     A release allowing my supporter to see protected
  health information under the Health Insurance Portability and
  Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191) is attached.
         Y/N     A release allowing my supporter to see educational
  records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
  (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g) is attached.
  Effective Date of Supported Decision-Making Agreement
         This supported decision-making agreement is effective
  immediately and will continue until (insert date) or until the
  agreement is terminated by my supporter or me or by operation of
  law.
         Signed this ______ day of _________, 20___
  Consent of Supporter
         I, (name of supporter), consent to act as a supporter under
  this agreement.
         
         (signature of supporter)(printed name of supporter)    
  Signature
         
         (my signature)(my printed name)         
         
         (witness 1 signature)(printed name of witness 1)  
         
         (witness 2 signature)(printed name of witness 2)  
         State of
         County of
         Thisdocumentwasacknowledgedbeforeme
         on _______________________________ (date)
  by _______________________________ and _______________________
  (name of adult with a disability)(name of supporter)    
                                         
                                         (signature of notarial officer)
  (Seal, if any, of notary)
                                  (printed name)
                                  My commission expires:
  WARNING:  PROTECTION FOR THE ADULT WITH A DISABILITY
         IF A PERSON WHO RECEIVES A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR IS AWARE
  OF THE EXISTENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE
  ADULT WITH A DISABILITY IS BEING ABUSED, NEGLECTED, OR EXPLOITED BY
  THE SUPPORTER, THE PERSON SHALL REPORT THE ALLEGED ABUSE, NEGLECT,
  OR EXPLOITATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
  BY CALLING THE ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-800-252-5400 OR ONLINE AT
  WWW.TXABUSEHOTLINE.ORG.
         (b)  A supported decision-making agreement may be in any form
  not inconsistent with Subsection (a) and the other requirements of
  this chapter.
  SUBCHAPTER C.  DUTY OF CERTAIN PERSONS WITH RESPECT TO AGREEMENT
         Sec. 1357.101.  RELIANCE ON AGREEMENT; LIMITATION OF
  LIABILITY. (a)  A person who receives the original or a copy of a
  supported decision-making agreement shall rely on the agreement.
         (b)  A person is not subject to criminal or civil liability
  and has not engaged in professional misconduct for an act or
  omission if the act or omission is done in good faith and in
  reliance on a supported decision-making agreement.
         Sec. 1357.102.  REPORTING OF SUSPECTED ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR
  EXPLOITATION. If a person who receives a copy of a supported
  decision-making agreement or is aware of the existence of a
  supported decision-making agreement has cause to believe that the
  adult with a disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited by
  the supporter, the person shall report the alleged abuse, neglect,
  or exploitation to the Department of Family and Protective Services
  in accordance with Section 48.051, Human Resources Code.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1881 passed the Senate on
  April 27, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 1.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1881 passed the House on
  May 27, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor