89R8899 RAL-F     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 State Health Services;                      (B)  the Department of Family and Protective   Services;                      (C)  the Texas Workforce Commission;                      (D)  the Texas Education Agency;                      (E)  the Texas Center for Disability Studies at   The University of Texas at Austin;                      (F)  the Center on Disability and Development at   Texas A&M University;                      (G)  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and                      (H)  the Texas 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)  a Medicaid long-term services and supports   provider;                      (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)  intellectual and developmental   disability behavioral health services;                            (iii)  health and specialty care system   employment;                            (iv)  health, developmental, and   independence services; and                            (v)  access and eligibility 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;                (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, 2025, 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.