BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2542
	By: Kitzman (Perry)
	Health & Human Services
	5/20/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

According to the Texas Statewide Intellectual and Development Disabilities Strategic Plan, individuals with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) experience distinct, lifelong needs. The strategic plan reports that Texas, along with the rest of the country, has made significant progress in shifting its publicly funded systems away from reliance on large-scale institutions and toward services to support people with an IDD to live at home or in small, community-based settings. However, the bill author has informed the committee that stakeholders are still identifying gaps in the continuum of care, including interactions with law enforcement, child and adult protective services, hospital emergency departments, and requests for services in institutional settings. H.B. 2542 seeks to address this issue by establishing a work group of inter-agency representatives, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to conduct a study and make recommendations to address gaps in access to acute and long-term care services and supports for individuals with an IDD.

H.B. 2542 directs the Health and Human Services Commission to create a work group by October 2025 to study and recommend improvements to services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, especially those with mental health needs. The group will assess access, funding, workforce, and service gaps, and report findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 2026.

H.B. 2542 amends current law relating to the establishment of a work group to study and make recommendations on certain services needed by individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "commission," "executive commissioner," and "work group."

SECTION 2. WORK GROUP; STUDY. (a) Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (executive commissioner; HHSC), not later than October 1, 2025, to establish a work group to conduct a study and make recommendations on the specialized services needed by individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability in this state, including individuals with mental health conditions or other high behavioral needs.

(b) Provides that the work group is composed of:

(1) subject to Subsection (c) of this section, one or more representatives designated by each of certain entities; and

(2) certain members appointed by the executive commissioner.

(c) Requires the executive commissioner to determine the number of representatives that each entity is authorized to designate under Subsection (b)(1) of this section to serve on the work group.

(d) Requires the work group, in conducting the study under this section, to take certain actions.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Requires the executive commissioner, not later than December 1, 2026, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over intellectual and developmental disability issues a written report that includes certain information.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires and the work group is abolished December 31, 2026.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2025.