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.

89(R) HB 2542 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

By: Kitzman

H.B. No. 2542

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

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.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services

Commission.

(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive

commissioner of the commission.

(3) "Work group" means the work group established

under this Act.

SECTION 2. WORK GROUP; STUDY. (a) Not later than October

1, 2025, the executive commissioner shall 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) The work group is composed of:

(1) subject to Subsection (c) of this section, one or

more representatives designated by each of the following entities:

(A) the Department of Family and Protective

Services;

(B) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and

(C) the Commission on Jail Standards; and

(2) the following members appointed by the executive

commissioner:

(A) a representative of a local intellectual and

developmental disability authority, as defined by Section 531.002,

Health and Safety Code;

(B) a representative of the Governor's Committee

on People with Disabilities;

(C) a representative of the Texas Council for

Developmental Disabilities;

(D) a representative of the Arc of Texas;

(E) a representative of a managed care

organization;

(F) Medicaid long-term services and supports

providers, including:

(i) a provider under the home and

community-based services (HCS) waiver program; and

(ii) an intermediate care facility provider

licensed under Chapter 252, Health and Safety Code;

(G) an individual or family member of an

individual with an intellectual or developmental disability

receiving home and community-based services, including under the

home and community-based services (HCS) waiver program;

(H) an individual or family member of an

individual with an intellectual or developmental disability

residing in a private intermediate care facility for individuals

with an intellectual disability licensed under Chapter 252, Health

and Safety Code;

(I) an individual or family member of an

individual with an intellectual or developmental disability

residing in a state supported living center, as defined by Section

531.002, Health and Safety Code;

(J) a representative of the commission's office

of the ombudsman;

(K) representatives of the commission, with one

representative appointed from each division of the commission with

responsibility for:

(i) Medicaid and the Children's Health

Insurance Program (CHIP);

(ii) community services;

(iii) health and specialty care;

(iv) behavioral health services;

(v) access and eligibility services; and

(vi) family health services;

(L) a physician; and

(M) any additional members as the executive

commissioner determines appropriate who are recognized experts

serving individuals with an intellectual or developmental

disability or who represent the interests of individuals with an

intellectual or developmental disability.

(c) The executive commissioner shall determine the number

of representatives that each entity may designate under Subsection

(b)(1) of this section to serve on the work group.

(d) In conducting the study under this section, the work

group shall:

(1) evaluate the accessibility of existing services

and resources in this state for individuals with an intellectual or

developmental disability, including public and private programs

for those individuals;

(2) evaluate the quality of existing services provided

in this state for individuals with an intellectual or developmental

disability, including the effectiveness of programs designed to

promote health, education, employment, and community inclusion for

those individuals;

(3) identify factors that contribute to mental health

conditions affecting individuals with an intellectual or

developmental disability, including the impact of trauma on those

individuals;

(4) identify gaps in the availability of services for

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability,

including access to services that address the needs of those

individuals with a co-occurring mental health condition, including

inpatient psychiatric care;

(5) 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, including the

financial sustainability of existing service delivery models;

(6) evaluate the availability and capacity of trained

professionals, including medical and mental health professionals,

caregivers, and support staff, who provide needed services to

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability;

(7) evaluate public safety net services for

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability,

including the role, functions, and capacity of local intellectual

and developmental disability authorities to coordinate services

and supports to meet the needs of those individuals;

(8) evaluate the status of any interest lists for

services or programs for individuals with an intellectual or

developmental disability, including the average wait time an

individual spends on those interest lists;

(9) identify best practices and innovative models used

in and outside this state for services provided to individuals with

an intellectual or developmental disability, including the

potential for implementing or expanding on the best practices and

innovative models; and

(10) evaluate stakeholder input, including input from

individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability and

their families, caregivers, advocacy groups, and service

providers.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the

executive commissioner shall 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:

(1) a summary of the work group's findings based on the

results of the study conducted under this Act;

(2) recommendations to address gaps in access to, and

challenges in the provision of, acute and long-term care services

and supports for individuals with an intellectual or developmental

disability;

(3) recommendations for improving funding models,

service delivery systems, and workforce development strategies in

relation to the provision of services to individuals with an

intellectual or developmental disability;

(4) recommendations for legislative or administrative

action, including legislation or rules, to implement the work

group's recommendations; and

(5) suggested timelines for implementing the work

group's recommendations.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the work group

is abolished December 31, 2026.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2025.