| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to a task force to study access to legal services for |
|
|
persons with disabilities. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. TASK FORCE. (a) In this section: |
|
|
(1) "Disability" means, with respect to an individual, |
|
|
a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits at least |
|
|
one major life activity of that individual. |
|
|
(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
|
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
|
|
(3) "Task force" means the task force established by |
|
|
this section. |
|
|
(b) The executive commissioner shall establish a task force |
|
|
to study access to legal services for persons with disabilities. |
|
|
(c) The task force is composed of seven members as follows: |
|
|
(1) five members appointed by the executive |
|
|
commissioner, including: |
|
|
(A) at least two members who are adults with |
|
|
disabilities; and |
|
|
(B) at least two members who are parents of |
|
|
children with disabilities; and |
|
|
(2) two members who represent Disability Rights Texas. |
|
|
(d) The executive commissioner shall designate a task force |
|
|
member as the presiding officer of the task force. |
|
|
(e) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call |
|
|
of the presiding officer and at other times the presiding officer |
|
|
determines. |
|
|
(f) The task force shall study access to legal services for |
|
|
persons with disabilities. The study must examine and make |
|
|
recommendations regarding: |
|
|
(1) the availability of legal representation for |
|
|
persons with disabilities; |
|
|
(2) the availability of advocacy and legal services |
|
|
for persons with disabilities; and |
|
|
(3) the barriers to accessing legal services for |
|
|
persons with disabilities, including communication, financial, |
|
|
medical, and cognitive barriers. |
|
|
(g) The task force shall develop and submit a written report |
|
|
of the study and recommendations developed by the task force to the |
|
|
Health and Human Services Commission, the governor, the lieutenant |
|
|
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each |
|
|
member of the legislature not later than December 1, 2024. |
|
|
(h) The task force may develop instructional and training |
|
|
materials for legal professionals and persons with disabilities |
|
|
relating to legal issues affecting persons with disabilities. |
|
|
(i) The task force may partner with or seek and accept |
|
|
assistance from voluntary organizations active in supporting |
|
|
persons with disabilities. |
|
|
(j) The task force is abolished and this Act expires June 1, |
|
|
2025. |
|
|
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
|
|
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
|
|
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
|
|
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
|
|
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |