86R6378 KFF-F
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2139
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities waiver
  program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.09731 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.09731.  MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR CERTAIN
  PROVIDERS UNDER DEAF-BLIND WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES WAIVER
  PROGRAM. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum
  reimbursement rates for interveners and orientation and mobility
  specialists providing services under the deaf-blind with multiple
  disabilities waiver program. The rates established under this
  section must:
               (1)  take into account the provider's level of
  training, education, and experience; and
               (2)  be adjusted annually for inflation.
         SECTION 2.  Section 161.078, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  The executive commissioner shall increase the number of
  persons receiving home-based and community-based services under
  the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities waiver program by:
               (1)  50 for each of the state fiscal years ending August
  31, 2020, and August 31, 2021; and
               (2)  for each subsequent state fiscal year beginning
  with the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2022, 10 percent of the
  number of recipients on the interest list for home-based and
  community-based services under the deaf-blind with multiple
  disabilities waiver program as determined on the first day of the
  applicable state fiscal year and rounded to the nearest whole
  number.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt the rules required under Section
  531.09731, Government Code, as added by this Act, and ensure that
  the minimum reimbursement rates established for interveners and
  orientation and mobility specialists under the deaf-blind with
  multiple disabilities waiver program are based on the most recent
  full rate analysis conducted by the commission.
         SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.