SB2397 - Relating to the establishment of the task force on disability policy.

  89R15741 EAS-F     By: Perry S.B. No. 2397       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the task force on disability   policy.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle I, Title 4, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 550A to read as follows:   CHAPTER 550A. TASK FORCE ON DISABILITY POLICY           Sec.   550A.0001.     DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force"   means the task force on disability policy established under Section   550A.0002.           Sec.   550A.0002.     ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.   The task force on   disability policy is established to:                 (1)     develop a comprehensive 10-year plan for this   state's disability policy; and                 (2)     provide strategic recommendations for state   policies to emphasize innovation, efficiency, and dignity for   individuals with a disability who reside in this state.           Sec.   550A.0003.     COMPOSITION. (a) The task force is   composed of:                 (1)     at least 17 voting members appointed by the   governor as follows:                       (A)  two members of the senate;                       (B)  two members of the house of representatives;                       (C)     at least two members who are or are related to   someone who has a lived experience with:                             (i)     medical fragility or chronic complex   medical needs;                             (ii)  autism;                             (iii)  mental health issues;                             (iv)     intellectual and developmental   disabilities;                             (v)  transitional care services; or                             (vi)  physical disabilities;                       (D)     four members who are health care   professionals;                       (E)     two members who represent relevant advocacy   organizations;                       (F)     two members who represent institutions of   higher education in this state; and                       (G)     three members who are policy experts   specializing in health care, Medicaid services, special education,   mental health care, or disability services;                 (2)     at least one nonvoting member appointed by the   governor who is a representative of a local mental health authority   or a local intellectual and developmental disability authority, as   those terms are defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code;   and                 (3)     additional nonvoting members as the task force   considers necessary who represent:                       (A)     relevant state agencies, appointed by the   executive head of each agency; and                       (B)     other interested persons or subject matter   experts.           (b)     The governor shall consult with the lieutenant governor   and the speaker of the house of representatives in appointing task   force members to ensure bipartisan representation, engagement of   residents of this state, and diverse expertise on the task force.           Sec.   550A.0004.     PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall   designate a member of the task force to serve as presiding officer   of the task force.           Sec.   550A.0005.     VACANCY.   A vacancy on the task force shall   be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.           Sec.   550A.0006.     MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at   least once each quarter at the call of the presiding officer.           (b)     The task force shall provide opportunities for members   of the public to participate in at least three meetings held at a   variety of locations in this state each calendar year.           Sec.   550A.0007.     SUBCOMMITTEES ON SPECIFIC ISSUES; REPORTS.   (a) The task force shall establish subcommittees to address   specific issues impacting individuals with a disability,   including:                 (1)  health care;                 (2)  education;                 (3)  early childhood care;                 (4)  transitional care;                 (5)  crisis prevention and intervention;                 (6)  juvenile justice;                 (7)  mental health care;                 (8)     long-term community-based services and supports;   and                 (9)     alternative funding sources and service delivery   models for the issues described by Subdivisions (1)-(8).           (b)  Each subcommittee must include:                 (1)     at least two task force members to serve as chair   and vice-chair of the subcommittee; and                 (2)     subject matter experts in fields relevant to the   subcommittee to provide specialized knowledge and guidance.           (c)  Consistent with its purpose, each subcommittee shall:                 (1)     consult with relevant subject matter experts,   advocacy organizations, state agency personnel, and parents or   consumers who have used relevant services;                 (2)     report the subcommittee's determinations and   recommendations at a task force meeting at least once each year; and                 (3)     biennially provide a written report with   recommendations for integration into the task force report required   under Section 550A.0010 not later than the 60th day before the date   the report is scheduled for release.           Sec.   550A.0008.     TASK FORCE PLAN. (a) The task force shall   develop a plan for this state to address for each issue described in   Section 550A.0007:                 (1)     this state's policies, services, programs, and   funding mechanisms;                 (2)     redundancies in, allocations of, and uses of state   resources;                 (3)     best practices in, trends of, and minimum   standards of care;                 (4)     service delivery disparities, service provision   entry points, and service provision obstacles;                 (5)     recommendations for policy integration among   state agencies and innovative solutions to improve care and foster   independence for residents who are provided care; and                 (6)     development of cost-effective, family-focused   state policies that prioritize dignity, autonomy, and unified   families and improve the care, quality, and efficiency of the   provided care and services.           (b)     In developing the plan under Subsection (a), the task   force shall evaluate:                 (1)     outdated, redundant, ineffective, and fragmented   state agency policies;                 (2)     current and future state agency policies regarding   service provision and the planning and funding necessary to   implement those policies;                 (3)     incentives for family-focused, quality outcome   measures for provision of care and services;                 (4)     long-term or alternative funding sources and   sustainable care models;                 (5)     long-term cost-effectiveness and a cost-benefit   analysis of appropriate access to home and community-based services   and other critical programs and services to unite families and   provide care and services to individuals with a disability in the   individuals' communities; and                 (6)  possible alternative service delivery options.           (c)     In developing the plan under Subsection (a), the task   force shall:                 (1)     identify the individual or state agency   responsible for implementing each task specified in the plan and   set a time for implementing each recommendation;                 (2)     establish benchmarks to measure the progress   toward goals and objectives specified in the plan;                 (3)     consult with the Legislative Budget Board to   coordinate relevant cost studies and account for long-term savings   of short-term investments for the issues specified in the plan;                 (4)     consult with personnel from other states to   identify best practices related to the specified issues;                 (5)     consult with the state demographer and relevant   federal agencies to account for future demographic trends in   addressing the specified issues;                 (6)     coordinate with federal and state agencies to   compile a list of opportunities to increase flexible funding for   services provided to individuals with a disability, including   alternative funding sources and service delivery options;                 (7)     consult with pediatric specialists and other   health care professionals to determine best medical practices for   care provided to individuals with a disability;                 (8)     coordinate with mental health, education, and   disability advocates;   &#x [Text truncated for display. 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