Bill Text: TX SB704 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the provision of certain support services to persons who are deaf-blind.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-01 - Referred to Health & Human Services [SB704 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB704-Introduced.html

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86R8550 KLA-F
By: Watson S.B. No. 704

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of certain support services to persons
who are deaf-blind.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.001, Human Resources Code, is amended
by adding Subdivision (1) to read as follows:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
Commission.
SECTION 2. Chapter 81, Human Resources Code, is amended by
adding Section 81.014 to read as follows:
Sec. 81.014. SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WHO ARE
DEAF-BLIND. (a) In this section:
(1) "Communication mode" includes communication
through:
(A) auditory amplification, such as through a
personal hearing aid or assistive listening device;
(B) American Sign Language or Signed English; and
(C) tactile American Sign Language.
(2) "Deaf-blind support services" means services
provided to a person who is deaf-blind that assist the person with
accessing the person's environment and allow the person to make
informed decisions. The term includes providing visual and
environmental information or sighted guide services and assisting
with communication accessibility by communicating in the preferred
language and communication mode of the person who is deaf-blind.
The term does not include performing any of the following for the
person:
(A) providing personal care services to the
person;
(B) completing ordinary errands for the person;
(C) making decisions for the person;
(D) teaching or otherwise instructing the
person; or
(E) interpreting for the person in a formal
setting, including a medical, legal, or business setting.
(3) "Program" means the deaf-blind support services
program.
(4) "Provider of deaf-blind support services" means a
person who is specially trained to provide deaf-blind support
services.
(b) The commission shall operate a statewide deaf-blind
support services program through which:
(1) deaf-blind support services are provided by
providers of deaf-blind support services; and
(2) the commission reimburses the providers for the
provision of the services.
(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish
reimbursement rates to be paid to a provider of deaf-blind support
services under the program. The reimbursement rates must use a
tiered wage scale that is based on the provider's:
(1) level of training in communication modes for
persons who are deaf-blind and in sighted guide-mobility
techniques; and
(2) fluency in communication modes for persons who are
deaf-blind.
(d) The commission shall ensure that quality deaf-blind
support services are provided under the program by:
(1) monitoring the compliance of providers of
deaf-blind support services with program rules;
(2) developing funding sources for the program that
are in addition to state sources and will reduce reliance on the
state sources for continuation of the program; and
(3) providing funding and technical assistance for
training programs for:
(A) providers of deaf-blind support services
under the program; and
(B) persons who are deaf-blind to enable those
persons to effectively use the services offered under the program.
(e) The executive commissioner may establish an advisory
committee to advise the commission in developing and operating the
program, including operating the program in a manner that ensures
the efficient use of state money. Subject to Section 2110.002,
Government Code, the executive commissioner shall determine the
number of members serving on the advisory committee, which must
include persons who are deaf-blind and other stakeholders.
(f) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary
to:
(1) operate the program in a manner that is efficient
and maximizes the number of persons served; and
(2) ensure that providers of deaf-blind support
services receiving reimbursement under the program have adequate
training to provide those services.
SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2020:
(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
Section 81.014, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) the commission shall begin operating the program
required by that section.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.