IN THIS ISSUE:
- 81st Texas Legislature
- Double take
- Unsung heroes
- HHS leadership changes slated for late summer.
- DPC member organizations plan cool activities for the hot summer “daze
81st Texas Legislature
It’s not over ‘til it’s over. (And now, apparently, it’s over.)
The ink had not dried on our riveting article announcing the July 1 launch of the 81st Texas Legislature’s special session when a funny thing happened. The special session was over! Setting a new land speed record, lawmakers came to Austin, passed a couple of bills, and adjourned to their favorite fireworks stands—all in a matter of 30 hours!
The speedy, focused special session was a stark contrast to the slow, meandering regular session. When that one ended in May, as you recall, lawmakers went home before taking care of a few small things, like the fate of five state agencies.
That’s taken care of now. The respective lives of the Texas Dept. of Transportation, Texas Dept. of Insurance, Texas Racing Commission, Office of Public Insurance Counsel, and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation have all been extended. And legislators passed a bill to allow the state to issue $2 billion in transportation bonds.
A third bill would have given the state authority to have long-term contracts with private companies to build and operate toll roads. It didn’t survive the two-day session.
Double take
Taking another look back at the 81st regular session
Last issue we reported the passage of several major bills that related to DPC legislative priorities—most of them pertaining to state school reform. This month, let’s pick up where we left off.
Following are a few more bills that survived the session—and some that didn’t. As for those that didn’t make it, there’s a strong likelihood you’ll see them again in the 82nd Texas Legislature. Legislation is a lot like baseball—there’s always next year!
Note: Click on each title to go to the relevant DPC legislative priority summary.
New laws passed by the 81st Texas Legislature:
Support Family and Informal Caregivers Respite— HB 802 (Davis): Relating to the creation of the lifespan respite services program.
- Requires implementation of respite services program through community-based organizations.
- DADS must provide technical assistance, policy and program development support.
- Contracts to be awarded through RFP process.
Strengthen Teacher Certification Programs Regarding Education of Students with Disabilities—HB 1322 (Hochberg): Relating to the establishment of an on-line resource for teachers of students with special health needs.
- Requires TEA in cooperation with HHSC to establish and maintain a website for teachers who teach students with special health needs. The website must include information on:
- Treatment and management of chronic illnesses.
- Food allergies that are common among students, preventing exposure to specific foods.
- Treating a student suffering from an allergic reaction to food.
Expand the Network of Centers for Independent Living in Texas—SB 1 provides funding for three new centers for independent living.
Improve Disciplinary Procedures Affecting Students with Disabilities—HB 171 (Olivo/Gallegos): Relating to consideration of mitigating factors in determining appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against a public school student.
Bills that didn’t survive the 81st session:
Eliminate Mental Retardation Terminology—SB 1395 (Zaffirini): Relating to the use of person first respectful language in reference to individuals with disabilities.
Ensure State School Residents’ Rights—SB 639 (Lucio): Relating to the rights of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities residing in state residential care facilities.
Promote Self-Determination in Medicaid Waiver Programs—HB 4017 (Weber): Relating to the establishment of a self-determination pilot program by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Necessary Revision to Chapter 166.046 of the Texas Health & Safety Code in support of continued treatment—HB 3325 (Hughes): Relating to advance directives or health care or treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients (Bill died in House State Affairs).
Oppose Public School Vouchers or Similar Programs—HB 41(Corte): Relating to creation of a public education voucher pilot program for certain children (Bill died in House Public Education)
Improve Employment Rights of Individuals with Disabilities—HB 785: (Rodriguez/Naishtat): Relating to employment services for persons with disabilities.
Unsung heroes
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DPC members are heading out this summer to thank the legislative aides who went “above and beyond” to assist people with disabilities during the 81st session. Left picture (left to right) Jennifer Deegan (House Speaker Straus’ aide), James Meadours, Susan Murphree, Judith Laufer and David Laufer. On the right (starting bottom row 1, left to right) Sarah Mills, Monica Thyssen, Kate Volti (Sen. Lucio’s aide), Emily Wheeler (Sen. Lucio’s aide), Belinda Carlton, Jeff Miller and Angela Lello.
Visit the DPC website to see more presentation pictures, as they become available.
HHS leadership changes slated for late summer.
In case you missed it, two of the most prominent administrators in Texas’ health and human services arena have announced their intention to retire later this summer.
HHS Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins will retire on an as yet unspecified date. Hawkins devoted 35 years to public service, including time in the recent Bush Administration. He was appointed to the HHSC post in January 2003.
Meanwhile, Adelaide “Addie” Horn plans to leave her post as commissioner of the Dept. of Aging and Disability Services on Aug. 31. Horn has worked in public service for 30 years.
Visit the HHSC website for more information about these retirement announcements.
DPC member organizations plan cool activities for the hot summer “daze
- The Texas State Independent Council and Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living are moving to a cool new location—real close to the old one. They have a new mailing address: 5555 N. Lamar Blvd, Ste J-103, Austin, TX. 78751. Their phone numbers are the same as before. If you’re planning to drop by, their new offices are in the same complex of offices as before, just a few doors away.
- The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M invites you to sign up for its free monthly e-newsletter. Visit their website to sign up for the newsletter, look at previous issues or learn more about the Center. Just to peak your interest, the June issue is chock full of info about the 81st Texas Legislature, Camp LIFE applications and the results of the Center’s recent technology survey. Check it out!
- The Texas Advocates have big plans for this year’s conference: Texas Advocates Stars Are Big and Bright. The group will gather in Irving from August 7-9. For info about the hotel, registration fees and a whole lot more, check out The Arc of Texas website.
- Self-Determination for Texas and Imagine Enterprises are excited about their upcoming conference for self-advocates and others who support self-determination. The “got determination?” conference, slated for Sept. 15-16, will feature nationally recognized speakers and a broad range of topics intended to illuminate and inspire. The groups are also planning an employment symposium for the day after the conference. All sessions will be held at the United Way of the Gulf Coast. For more information, visit the Self-Determination for Texas website or call 1-800-572-7159.
About the Disability Policy Consortium
The DPC is made up of a diverse assortment of disability advocacy groups that have joined forces to advance the rights, inclusion and independence of Texans with disabilities. Each member organization contributes its unique perspective and resources to the collective effort to promote effective public policy for a variety of issues important to people with disabilities and their families.
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