87R10865 MM-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1157
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a task force on ensuring an
  appropriate care setting for a person with a disability.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.   Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.02441 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.02441.  INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON ENSURING
  APPROPRIATE CARE SETTINGS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) The
  executive commissioner shall establish an interagency task force to
  assist the commission and appropriate health and human services
  agencies in developing a comprehensive, effectively working plan to
  ensure appropriate care settings for persons with disabilities.
         (b)  The executive commissioner shall determine the number
  of members of the task force. The executive commissioner shall
  appoint as members of the task force:
               (1)  representatives of appropriate health and human
  services agencies;
               (2)  representatives of related work groups;
               (3)  representatives of consumer and family advocacy
  groups; and
               (4)  representatives of service providers for persons
  with disabilities.
         (c)  The executive commissioner shall designate a member of
  the task force to serve as presiding officer. The members of the
  task force shall elect any other necessary officers.
         (d)  The task force shall meet at the call of the executive
  commissioner.
         (e)  A member of the task force serves at the will of the
  executive commissioner.
         (f)  A member of the task force may not receive compensation
  for serving on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
  travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the
  business of the task force as provided by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         (g)  The task force shall study and make recommendations to
  the commission on developing the comprehensive, effectively
  working plan required by Section 531.0244(a) to ensure appropriate
  care settings for persons with disabilities.
         (h)  In addition to making recommendations under Subsection
  (g), the task force shall advise the commission and appropriate
  health and human services agencies with respect to implementing the
  comprehensive, effectively working plan required by Section
  531.0244(a), giving primary consideration to:
               (1)  methods to identify and assess each person who
  resides in an institution but chooses to live in the community and
  for whom a transfer from an institution to the community is
  appropriate, as determined by the person's treating professionals;
               (2)  determining the health and human services
  agencies' availability of community care and support options
  relating to all persons described by Subdivision (1);
               (3)  identifying, addressing, and monitoring barriers
  to implementation of the plan to improve that implementation; and
               (4)  identifying funding options for the plan.
         (i)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the task force
  shall submit a report to the executive commissioner on its findings
  and recommendations required by Subsection (g).
         (j)  The task force is abolished and this section expires
  September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  establish the interagency task force under Section 531.02441,
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.   This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.