81(R) HB 1905

posted 3/23/2009

Introduced version - Bill Text 81R8460 GCB-D

By: GuillenH.B. No. 1905

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to studying the costs and benefits of a pilot program for services for adults with autism. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) The Department of Aging and Disability Services 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.
(b) The study must identify: (1) the potential benefit to adult persons with autism of receiving services involving: (A) behavioral counseling; (B) employment; (C) home-based care;
(D) living arrangements; and (E) medical care; (2) the potential number of persons with autism the pilot program may serve; (3) which agency or agencies are appropriate to design or administer the pilot program; (4) which Medicaid waiver programs are appropriate to the pilot program; (5) whether new Medicaid waiver programs may be required;
(6) how other states provide services to adult persons with autism; and (7) the administrative costs the state is likely to incur in designing and administering the pilot program.
(c) Not later than September 1, 2011, the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services 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.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.