Bill Text: TX HB2514 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to a task force to study access to legal services for persons with disabilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-17 - Referred to Human Services [HB2514 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB2514-Introduced.html
87R7475 TSS-F | ||
By: Meza | H.B. No. 2514 |
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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 shall be 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 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 determined by the | ||
presiding officer. | ||
(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, 2022. | ||
(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, | ||
2023. | ||
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, 2021. |