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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities waiver |
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program. |
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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 531.09731 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.09731. MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR CERTAIN |
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PROVIDERS UNDER DEAF-BLIND WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES WAIVER |
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PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum |
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reimbursement rates for interveners and orientation and mobility |
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specialists providing services under the deaf-blind with multiple |
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disabilities waiver program. The rates established under this |
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section must: |
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(1) take into account the provider's level of |
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training, education, and experience; and |
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(2) be adjusted annually for inflation. |
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SECTION 2. Section 161.078, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) The executive commissioner shall increase the number of |
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persons receiving home-based and community-based services under |
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the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities waiver program by: |
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(1) 50 for each of the state fiscal years ending August |
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31, 2020, and August 31, 2021; and |
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(2) for each subsequent state fiscal year beginning |
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with the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2022, 10 percent of the |
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number of recipients on the interest list for home-based and |
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community-based services under the deaf-blind with multiple |
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disabilities waiver program as determined on the first day of the |
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applicable state fiscal year and rounded to the nearest whole |
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number. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt the rules required under Section |
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531.09731, Government Code, as added by this Act, and ensure that |
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the minimum reimbursement rates established for interveners and |
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orientation and mobility specialists under the deaf-blind with |
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multiple disabilities waiver program are based on the most recent |
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full rate analysis conducted by the commission. |
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SECTION 4. 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 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |