HB1541 - Relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study and make recommendations on services provided to individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability.

  89R4201 RAL-D     By: Lalani H.B. No. 1541       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to study and   make recommendations on services provided to individuals with an   intellectual or developmental disability.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 547, Government Code, as effective April   1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER D-1. INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY   SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE           Sec.   547.0191.     DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "advisory   committee" means the intellectual and developmental disability   services and supports advisory committee established under this   subchapter.           Sec.   547.0192.     ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The   commission shall establish the intellectual and developmental   disability services and supports advisory committee to:                 (1)     conduct a study identifying and evaluating gaps in   access to acute and long-term care services and supports for   individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability; and                   (2)     provide to the legislature recommendations to   address those gaps in access.           Sec.   547.0193.     ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS. (a) The   executive commissioner shall appoint relevant stakeholders to   serve as advisory committee members, including:                 (1)  representatives of the commission;                 (2)     representatives of the Department of State Health   Services;                 (3)     representatives of the Private Providers   Association of Texas;                 (4)     representatives of local intellectual and   developmental disability authorities;                 (5)     representatives of intellectual and developmental   disability advocacy organizations;                 (6)     persons with expertise on intellectual and   developmental disability services and supports;                 (7)     representatives of long-term services and   supports providers;                 (8)  representatives of managed care organizations;                 (9)     individuals with an intellectual or developmental   disability who receive services or supports; and                 (10)     parents or other family members of individuals   with an intellectual or developmental disability who receive   services or supports.           (b)     The executive commissioner shall appoint an advisory   committee member to serve as the advisory committee's presiding   officer.           (c)     The executive commissioner shall fill a vacancy that   occurs on the advisory committee in the same manner as the original   appointment as soon as practicable but not later than the 60th day   after the date the vacancy occurs.           Sec.   547.0194.     EXPENSES.   An advisory committee member is   not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for   actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing advisory   committee duties. The advisory committee may accept gifts, grants,   and donations to pay for those expenses.           Sec.   547.0195.     MEETINGS. (a) The advisory committee shall   meet at least quarterly.           (b)     The advisory committee may conduct meetings in person or   remotely.           Sec.   547.0196.     ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission   shall provide administrative support for the advisory committee   using existing resources.           Sec.   547.0197.     STUDY; BIENNIAL REPORT. (a) The advisory   committee shall:                 (1)     evaluate the adequacy of state and federal funding   for acute and long-term care services and supports for individuals   with an intellectual or developmental disability;                 (2)     evaluate the financial sustainability of current   service delivery models;                 (3)     evaluate the availability and capacity of trained   professionals, caregivers, and support staff necessary to deliver   services for individuals with an intellectual or developmental   disability;                 (4)     identify best practices and innovative models used   in and outside this state for services provided to individuals with   an intellectual or developmental disability;                 (5)     evaluate the quality of current services provided   in this state to individuals with an intellectual or developmental   disability;                 (6)     evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to   promote health, education, employment, and community inclusion for   individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability;                 (7)     identify factors that contribute to mental health   conditions affecting individuals with an intellectual or   developmental disability;                 (8)     evaluate public safety net services, including the   role, functions, and capacity of local intellectual and   developmental disability authorities to coordinate services and   supports to meet the needs of individuals with an intellectual or   developmental disability; and                 (9)     review and identify areas for improvement to the   Texas Statewide Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities   Strategic Plan developed by the IDD Strategic Planning Group.           (b)     Not later than August 31 of each even-numbered year, the   advisory committee shall prepare and submit to the legislature and   each standing committee of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over intellectual and developmental disability issues   a written report that includes:                 (1)     a summary of the results of the advisory   committee's findings under Subsection (a);                 (2)     recommendations to address gaps in access to acute   and long-term care services and supports for individuals with an   intellectual or developmental disability;                 (3)     recommendations for legislative or administrative   action, including legislation or rules, to implement the advisory   committee's recommendations;                 (4)     a complete explanation of each of the advisory   committee's recommendations; and                 (5)     suggested timelines for implementing each of the   advisory committee's recommendations.           Sec.   547.0198.     EXPIRATION. (a) Not later than December 1,   2028, the commission shall prepare and submit to the legislature a   report that contains a recommendation on whether the advisory   committee should be continued or abolished.           (b)     The advisory committee is abolished and this subchapter   expires September 1, 2029.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act but not later than December 1, 2025, the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall   appoint members to the intellectual and developmental disability   services and supports advisory committee as required by Section   547.0193, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.