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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a task force to study access to legal services for |
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persons with disabilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. TASK FORCE. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Disability" means, with respect to an individual, |
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a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits at least |
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one major life activity of that individual. |
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(2) "Task force" means the task force established by |
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this section. |
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(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall establish a task force to study access to |
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legal services for persons with disabilities. |
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(c) The task force shall be composed of seven members as |
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follows: |
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(1) five members appointed by the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, |
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including: |
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(A) at least two members who are adults with |
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disabilities; and |
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(B) at least two members who are parents of |
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children with disabilities; and |
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(2) two members who represent Disability Rights Texas. |
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(d) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall designate a member as the presiding |
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officer of the task force. |
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(e) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call |
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of the presiding officer and at other times determined by the |
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presiding officer. |
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(f) The task force shall study access to legal services for |
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persons with disabilities. The study must examine and make |
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recommendations regarding: |
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(1) the availability of legal representation for |
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persons with disabilities; |
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(2) the availability of advocacy and legal services |
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for persons with disabilities; and |
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(3) the barriers to accessing legal services for |
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persons with disabilities, including communication, financial, |
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medical, and cognitive barriers. |
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(g) The task force shall develop and submit a written report |
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of the study and recommendations developed by the task force to the |
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Health and Human Services Commission, the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each |
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member of the legislature not later than December 1, 2020. |
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(h) The task force may develop instructional and training |
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materials for legal professionals and persons with disabilities |
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relating to legal issues affecting persons with disabilities. |
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(i) The task force may partner with or seek and accept |
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assistance from voluntary organizations active in supporting |
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persons with disabilities. |
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(j) The task force is abolished and this Act expires June 1, |
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2021. |
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SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |