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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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GOVERNMENT CODE |
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Title 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH |
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Subtitle I. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
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Chapter 531. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION |
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Subchapter B. POWERS AND DUTIES |
Sec. 531.02441. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON ENSURING APPROPRIATE CARE SETTINGS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
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(a) The commissioner shall establish an interagency task force to assist the commission and appropriate health and human services agencies in developing a comprehensive, effectively working plan to ensure appropriate care settings for persons with disabilities.
(b) The commissioner shall determine the number of members of the task force. The commissioner shall appoint as members of the task force:
(1) representatives of appropriate health and human services agencies, including the Texas Department of Human Services and the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation;
(2) representatives of related work groups, including representatives of the work groups established under Sections 22.034 and 22.035, Human Resources Code;
(3) representatives of consumer and family advocacy groups; and
(4) representatives of service providers for persons with disabilities.
(c) The commissioner shall designate a member of the task force to serve as presiding officer. The members of the task force shall elect any other necessary officers.
(d) The task force shall meet at the call of the commissioner.
(e) A member of the task force serves at the will of the commissioner.
(f) A member of the task force may not receive compensation for serving on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the task force as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
(g) The task force shall study and make recommendations to the commission on:
(1) developing the comprehensive, effectively working plan required by Section 531.0244(a) to ensure appropriate care settings for persons with disabilities; and
(2) identifying appropriate components of the pilot program established under Section 22.037, Human Resources Code, for coordination and integration among the Texas Department of Human Services, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
(h) In addition to making recommendations under Subsection (g), the task force shall advise the commission and appropriate health and human services agencies with respect to implementing the comprehensive, effectively working plan required by Section 531.0244(a), giving primary consideration to:
(1) methods to identify and assess each person who resides in an institution but chooses to live in the community and for whom a transfer from an institution to the community is appropriate, as determined by the person's treating professionals;
(2) determining the health and human services agencies' availability of community care and support options relating to all persons described by Subdivision (1);
(3) identifying, addressing, and monitoring barriers to implementation of the plan to improve that implementation; and
(4) identifying funding options for the plan.
(i) Not later than September 1 of each year, the task force shall submit a report to the commissioner on its findings and recommendations required by Subsection (g).
(j) This section expires September 1, 2017.