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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a task force to study issues |
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affecting 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) A task force is established to study access to legal |
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services for persons with disabilities. |
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(c) The task force is composed of seven members as follows: |
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(1) one member appointed by the governor; |
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(2) four members who are adults with disabilities; and |
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(3) two members who are parents of a minor with |
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disabilities. |
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(d) A majority of the members appointed to the task force |
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under Subsection (c) of this section must be persons with |
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disabilities or guardians of children with disabilities. |
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(e) The member appointed by the governor shall serve as the |
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presiding officer of the task force. |
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(f) 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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(g) The task force shall study: |
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(1) Access to legal services for persons with |
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disabilities. |
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(h) The study under Subsection (g) of this section must |
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examine and make 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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(i) 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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governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of |
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representatives, and each member of the legislature not later than |
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December 1, 2020. |
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(j) 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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(k) The task force may partner with or seek and accept |
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assistance from voluntary organizations active in supporting the |
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disabled community. |
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(l) 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. |
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If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |