H.B. No. 1574
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to services for persons with autism and other pervasive
  developmental disorders and their families.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 114, Human Resources Code, is amended by
  adding Section 114.013 to read as follows:
         Sec. 114.013.  AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS RESOURCE CENTER.  
  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall establish and
  administer an autism spectrum disorders resource center to
  coordinate resources for individuals with autism and other
  pervasive developmental disorders and their families.  In
  establishing and administering the center, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall consult with the council and coordinate
  with appropriate state agencies, including each agency represented
  on the council.
         (b)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall design
  the center to:
               (1)  collect and distribute information and research
  regarding autism and other pervasive developmental disorders;
               (2)  conduct training and development activities for
  persons who may interact with an individual with autism or another
  pervasive developmental disorder in the course of their employment,
  including school, medical, or law enforcement personnel;
               (3)  coordinate with local entities that provide
  services to an individual with autism or another pervasive
  developmental disorder; and
               (4)  provide support for families affected by autism
  and other pervasive developmental disorders.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  The executive commissioner of the Health
  and Human Services Commission shall conduct a study to determine
  the costs and benefits to this state of initiating a pilot program
  to provide services to adult persons with autism and other related
  disabilities with similar support needs.
         (b)  The study will determine the costs and benefits of a
  pilot program based on a program designed to:
               (1)  encourage sustainable employment and community
  integration through specialized supports coordination, case
  management, vocational assessment, training, and support to
  increase job skills and competitive employment opportunities;
               (2)  develop meaningful community-based activities for
  persons for whom competitive employment is not a goal;
               (3)  promote continued individual development and
  avoid regression;
               (4)  promote self-determination and independence;
               (5)  coordinate services and behavioral supports
  across all areas of need; and
               (6)  allow for flexible funding and for a flexible
  array of services to meet individual needs.
         (c)  In conducting the study, the executive commissioner of
  the Health and Human Services Commission shall:
               (1)  define and describe a pilot program with a
  seamless system of supports to provide:
                     (A)  options for independent living, if
  appropriate;
                     (B)  community-based housing, if needed; and
                     (C)  individualized supports, including:
                           (i)  prevocational training;
                           (ii)  employment training; and
                           (iii)  leisure and recreational activities;
               (2)  research and analyze best practices and programs
  from other states that may serve as pilot program models;
               (3)  consult with and solicit feedback from key
  stakeholders, including advocacy organizations, potential service
  recipients, and parents;
               (4)  address the barriers that may prevent adults with
  autism or other related disabilities with similar support needs
  from living in their local community including:
                     (A)  housing needs and living arrangements;
                     (B)  behavioral services;
                     (C)  social and communication services and
  supports;
                     (D)  transportation issues; and
                     (E)  health and medical care;
               (5)  identify the existence and cause of service gaps
  in this state;
               (6)  develop recommendations and determine costs
  associated with eliminating service gaps;
               (7)  identify the potential benefit to persons who
  would receive services from the pilot program; and
               (8)  identify potential federal sources of funding for
  a pilot program.
         (d)  Not later than September 1, 2010, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  submit a report of the findings and conclusions of the study to the
  governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
  representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing
  committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary
  jurisdiction over the provision of services to persons with
  disabilities.
         (e)  The report required under Subsection (d) of this section
  must include:
               (1)  a recommendation for the structure of a pilot
  program;
               (2)  a recommendation on the choice of an appropriate
  agency to design and administer a pilot program;
               (3)  an estimation of the number of persons who may
  benefit from a pilot program if a program similar to the pilot
  program were instituted statewide;
               (4)  an estimation of the potential costs of the pilot
  program and whether the pilot program may lead to savings;
               (5)  a method of determining which persons would be
  eligible to participate in the pilot program; and
               (6)  which Medicaid waiver programs are appropriate to
  the pilot program and whether new Medicaid waiver programs may be
  required.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1574 was passed by the House on April
  22, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1574 was passed by the Senate on May
  14, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor