By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 50     (Neave)           A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a competitive and integrated employment initiative for   certain Medicaid recipients.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 531.02448 to read as follows:          Sec. 531.02448.  COMPETITIVE AND INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT   INITIATIVE FOR CERTAIN MEDICAID RECIPIENTS. (a) This section   applies to an individual receiving services under:                (1)  any of the following waiver programs established   under Section 1915(c), Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section   1396n(c)):                      (A)  the home and community-based services (HCS)   waiver program;                      (B)  the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program;                      (C)  the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities   (DBMD) waiver program; and                      (D)  the community living assistance and support   services (CLASS) waiver program; and                (2)  the STAR+PLUS home and community-based services   (HCBS) waiver program established under Section 1115, Social   Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1315).          (b)  The executive commissioner by rule shall develop a   uniform process that complies with the policy adopted under Section   531.02447 to:                (1)  assess the goals of and competitive and integrated   employment opportunities and related employment services available   to an individual to whom this section applies; and                (2)  use the identified goals and available   opportunities and services to direct the individual's plan of care   at the time the plan is developed or renewed.          (c)  The entity responsible for the development and renewal   of the plan of care for an individual to whom this section applies   shall use the uniform process the executive commissioner develops   to assess the individual's goals, opportunities, and services   described by Subsection (b) and incorporate those goals,   opportunities, and services into the plan of care.          (d)  The executive commissioner by rule shall:                (1)  identify strategies to increase the number of   individuals who are receiving employment services from the Texas   Workforce Commission or through the waiver program in which an   individual is enrolled;                (2)  determine a reasonable number of individuals who   indicate a desire to work to receive employment services and ensure   those individuals:                      (A)  have received employment services during the   state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2023, or during the period   beginning September 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023, from the   Texas Workforce Commission or through the waiver program in which   an individual is enrolled; or                      (B)  are receiving employment services on   December 31, 2023, from the Texas Workforce Commission or through   the waiver program in which an individual is enrolled; and                (3)  ensure each individual who indicates a desire to   work is referred to receive employment services from the Texas   Workforce Commission or through the waiver program in which the   individual is enrolled.          (e)  Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year,   the executive commissioner shall prepare and submit to the   governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of   representatives, and legislature a written report that outlines:                (1)  the number of individuals to whom this section   applies who are receiving employment services in accordance with   rules adopted under this section;                (2)  whether the employment services described by   Subdivision (1) are provided by the Texas Workforce Commission,   through the waiver program in which an individual is enrolled, or   both; and                (3)  the number of individuals to whom this section   applies who have obtained competitive and integrated employment,   categorized by waiver program and, if applicable, an individual's   level of care.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human   Services Commission shall adopt rules as necessary to implement   Section 531.02448, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding Section 531.02448(e),   Government Code, as added by this Act, the executive commissioner   of the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit the first   report required by that section not later than December 31, 2024.          SECTION 4.  The Health and Human Services Commission is   required to implement a provision of this Act only if the   legislature appropriates money to the commission specifically for   that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money   specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not   required to, implement a provision of this Act using other   appropriations that are available for that purpose.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.