BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2027

By: Rodríguez

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that employment training opportunities for individuals with an intellectual disability are insufficient and do not serve to develop transferrable skills that would enable such an individual to transition to a fully integrated employment setting. S.B. 2027 seeks to address this issue by requiring the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission to conduct a region-oriented statewide study regarding occupational training programs available for individuals with an intellectual disability.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2027 requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to conduct a study in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission regarding occupational training programs available in Texas for individuals with an intellectual disability. The bill requires the study to determine regions in Texas where the training programs should be improved or expanded and to determine strategies for placing trained individuals with intellectual disabilities into fulfilling jobs using existing or improved training programs. The bill requires HHSC, not later than December 1, 2018, to report the results of the study to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2019.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.