State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Texas > Health-and-safety-code > Title-2-health > Chapter-115-task-force-for-children-with-special-needs
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 2. HEALTH
SUBTITLE E. HEALTH CARE COUNCILS AND RESOURCE CENTERS
CHAPTER 115. TASK FORCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Chapter 115, consisting of Secs. 115.001 to 115.012, was added by
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1. and Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2.
For another Chapter 115, consisting of Secs. 115.001 to 115.012,
added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
733, Sec. 1, see Sec. 115.001 et seq.
Sec. 115.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Children with special needs" means children younger than 22
years of age diagnosed with a chronic illness, intellectual or
other developmental disability, or serious mental illness.
(2) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of
the Health and Human Services Commission.
(4) "Task force" means the Interagency Task Force for Children
with Special Needs established under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.002. TASK FORCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. The
governor, or the governor's designee, shall oversee the task
force created and administered by the commission to improve the
coordination, quality, and efficiency of services for children
with special needs.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.003. DUTIES. The task force shall:
(1) not later than September 1, 2010, coordinate with federal
agencies to compile a list of opportunities to increase flexible
funding for services for children with special needs, including
alternative funding sources and service delivery options;
(2) conduct a review of state agency policies and procedures
related to service delivery for children with special needs;
(3) perform a needs assessment, including public hearings to
identify service delivery gaps, system entry points, and service
obstacles; and
(4) develop a five-year plan to improve the coordination,
quality, and efficiency of services for children with special
needs under Section 115.004.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.004. TASK FORCE PLAN. (a) In developing the five-year
plan under this chapter, the task force shall:
(1) identify the party responsible for each action set forth in
the plan and set deadlines for implementation of each
recommendation;
(2) create benchmarks to measure progress toward goals and
objectives;
(3) consult with the Legislative Budget Board to coordinate
relevant cost studies and account for long-term savings of
short-term child investments;
(4) consult with personnel from other states to identify best
practices;
(5) consult with the state demographer and relevant federal
agencies to account for future demographic trends;
(6) consult with pediatric specialists and other health care
providers to determine best medical practices;
(7) coordinate with mental health and developmental disability
advocates; and
(8) develop a timeline for plan implementation.
(b) The plan created under this chapter must provide
recommendations to:
(1) maximize the use of federal funds available to this state
for the purposes described by Section 115.002;
(2) reduce the number of families who experience crisis due to
insufficient and ineffective interventions or services or lack of
coordination and planning of interventions or services;
(3) improve families' ability to navigate the system through
improved coordination between service providers and increased
outreach;
(4) remove barriers to local coordination of services and
supports;
(5) evaluate the feasibility of creating an interagency legally
authorized representative program to provide support services for
children with special needs;
(6) improve early detection and intervention services;
(7) increase the number of community-based options for children
with special needs;
(8) improve accountability for each agency represented on the
task force and other service providers;
(9) reduce existing fragmentation of service delivery to reflect
best practices and eliminate ineffective interventions;
(10) reduce service gaps and overlap;
(11) improve data management;
(12) prevent unnecessary parental relinquishment of custody;
(13) create a core set of quality measures to determine quality
of care and improvements to quality of life; and
(14) improve availability of high-quality community-based acute
and long-term care services and supports.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.005. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The governor's
office and each agency represented on the task force shall enter
into a memorandum of understanding to implement the task force's
duties under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.006. REPORT. (a) The task force shall submit a
biennial report on the progress of each agency represented on the
task force in accomplishing the goals described by Section
115.002 to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives.
(b) The report must include:
(1) stakeholder input, including testimony from parents in each
health and human services district;
(2) progress toward meeting each goal outlined in the plan under
Section 115.004;
(3) current barriers that prevent accomplishing each goal listed
in Subdivision (2);
(4) additional resource needs;
(5) current resources that could be redirected for more
efficient and effective use;
(6) amendments to the plan under this chapter;
(7) recommendations and proposed legislation to help fulfill the
goals of this chapter; and
(8) feasibility statements on related recommendations.
(c) The task force shall publish the report on the commission's
website.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.007. COMPOSITION. (a) The task force consists of:
(1) the commissioner, the executive director or director, or a
deputy or assistant commissioner of:
(A) the commission, designated by the executive commissioner;
(B) the Department of Aging and Disability Services, designated
by the commissioner of that agency;
(C) the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services,
designated by the commissioner of that agency;
(D) the division of early childhood intervention services,
designated by the commissioner of the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services;
(E) the Department of Family and Protective Services, designated
by the commissioner of that agency;
(F) the Department of State Health Services, designated by the
commissioner of that agency;
(G) the Texas Education Agency, designated by the commissioner
of that agency;
(H) the Texas Youth Commission, designated by the executive
commissioner of that agency;
(I) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, designated by the
executive director of that agency; and
(J) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or
Mental Impairments, designated by the director of that office;
and
(2) eight nonvoting members who are:
(A) a representative of a local mental health authority or a
local mental retardation authority, appointed by the governor;
(B) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by
the speaker of the house of representatives;
(C) two senators, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(D) three parents or consumer advocates, one each appointed by
the commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Youth
Commission.
(b) The members of the task force appointed under Subsection
(a)(2)(D) may serve a five-year term or may elect to serve for a
shorter period.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.008. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at least
once each quarter.
(b) The task force shall provide an opportunity for statewide
public participation in at least two meetings in each calendar
year.
(c) All meetings of the task force shall be conducted in
accordance with Chapter 551, Government Code.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.009. INTERAGENCY COORDINATOR; STAFF. (a) The governor
shall appoint an interagency coordinator from the commission as
the presiding officer of the task force.
(b) The interagency coordinator shall hire a full-time director
and administrative assistant to support the duties and functions
of the task force.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.010. TASK FORCE DIRECTOR. The task force director
hired by the interagency coordinator under Section 115.009 shall:
(1) prepare on behalf of the task force the plan and reports
required under this chapter;
(2) work with each task force representative to schedule
meetings and deadlines relevant to the representative's agency;
and
(3) work with the interagency coordinator to assign subcommittee
leadership positions under Section 115.011.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.011. SUBCOMMITTEES. (a) The interagency coordinator,
assisted by the task force director, shall establish
subcommittees to address:
(1) early childhood detection and intervention;
(2) education;
(3) health care;
(4) transitioning youth;
(5) crisis prevention and intervention;
(6) juvenile justice;
(7) long-term, community-based services and supports; and
(8) mental health.
(b) Each subcommittee shall include at least one task force
member to serve as chair. Consistent with the purpose of each
subcommittee, members shall consult with relevant subject matter
experts, relevant advocacy organizations, staff from related
agencies, and parents or consumers who have used related
services.
(c) Each subcommittee shall report the subcommittee's findings
and related recommendations at a task force meeting at least once
each year. On a biennial basis, the subcommittee shall provide a
written report with findings and recommendations not less than
two months before the scheduled release of the task force report
under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.012. SUNSET PROVISION. The Interagency Task Force for
Children With Special Needs is subject to Chapter 325, Government
Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as
provided by that chapter, the task force is abolished and this
chapter expires September 1, 2015.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Texas > Health-and-safety-code > Title-2-health > Chapter-115-task-force-for-children-with-special-needs
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 2. HEALTH
SUBTITLE E. HEALTH CARE COUNCILS AND RESOURCE CENTERS
CHAPTER 115. TASK FORCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Chapter 115, consisting of Secs. 115.001 to 115.012, was added by
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1. and Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2.
For another Chapter 115, consisting of Secs. 115.001 to 115.012,
added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
733, Sec. 1, see Sec. 115.001 et seq.
Sec. 115.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Children with special needs" means children younger than 22
years of age diagnosed with a chronic illness, intellectual or
other developmental disability, or serious mental illness.
(2) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of
the Health and Human Services Commission.
(4) "Task force" means the Interagency Task Force for Children
with Special Needs established under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.002. TASK FORCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. The
governor, or the governor's designee, shall oversee the task
force created and administered by the commission to improve the
coordination, quality, and efficiency of services for children
with special needs.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.003. DUTIES. The task force shall:
(1) not later than September 1, 2010, coordinate with federal
agencies to compile a list of opportunities to increase flexible
funding for services for children with special needs, including
alternative funding sources and service delivery options;
(2) conduct a review of state agency policies and procedures
related to service delivery for children with special needs;
(3) perform a needs assessment, including public hearings to
identify service delivery gaps, system entry points, and service
obstacles; and
(4) develop a five-year plan to improve the coordination,
quality, and efficiency of services for children with special
needs under Section 115.004.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.004. TASK FORCE PLAN. (a) In developing the five-year
plan under this chapter, the task force shall:
(1) identify the party responsible for each action set forth in
the plan and set deadlines for implementation of each
recommendation;
(2) create benchmarks to measure progress toward goals and
objectives;
(3) consult with the Legislative Budget Board to coordinate
relevant cost studies and account for long-term savings of
short-term child investments;
(4) consult with personnel from other states to identify best
practices;
(5) consult with the state demographer and relevant federal
agencies to account for future demographic trends;
(6) consult with pediatric specialists and other health care
providers to determine best medical practices;
(7) coordinate with mental health and developmental disability
advocates; and
(8) develop a timeline for plan implementation.
(b) The plan created under this chapter must provide
recommendations to:
(1) maximize the use of federal funds available to this state
for the purposes described by Section 115.002;
(2) reduce the number of families who experience crisis due to
insufficient and ineffective interventions or services or lack of
coordination and planning of interventions or services;
(3) improve families' ability to navigate the system through
improved coordination between service providers and increased
outreach;
(4) remove barriers to local coordination of services and
supports;
(5) evaluate the feasibility of creating an interagency legally
authorized representative program to provide support services for
children with special needs;
(6) improve early detection and intervention services;
(7) increase the number of community-based options for children
with special needs;
(8) improve accountability for each agency represented on the
task force and other service providers;
(9) reduce existing fragmentation of service delivery to reflect
best practices and eliminate ineffective interventions;
(10) reduce service gaps and overlap;
(11) improve data management;
(12) prevent unnecessary parental relinquishment of custody;
(13) create a core set of quality measures to determine quality
of care and improvements to quality of life; and
(14) improve availability of high-quality community-based acute
and long-term care services and supports.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.005. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The governor's
office and each agency represented on the task force shall enter
into a memorandum of understanding to implement the task force's
duties under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.006. REPORT. (a) The task force shall submit a
biennial report on the progress of each agency represented on the
task force in accomplishing the goals described by Section
115.002 to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives.
(b) The report must include:
(1) stakeholder input, including testimony from parents in each
health and human services district;
(2) progress toward meeting each goal outlined in the plan under
Section 115.004;
(3) current barriers that prevent accomplishing each goal listed
in Subdivision (2);
(4) additional resource needs;
(5) current resources that could be redirected for more
efficient and effective use;
(6) amendments to the plan under this chapter;
(7) recommendations and proposed legislation to help fulfill the
goals of this chapter; and
(8) feasibility statements on related recommendations.
(c) The task force shall publish the report on the commission's
website.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.007. COMPOSITION. (a) The task force consists of:
(1) the commissioner, the executive director or director, or a
deputy or assistant commissioner of:
(A) the commission, designated by the executive commissioner;
(B) the Department of Aging and Disability Services, designated
by the commissioner of that agency;
(C) the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services,
designated by the commissioner of that agency;
(D) the division of early childhood intervention services,
designated by the commissioner of the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services;
(E) the Department of Family and Protective Services, designated
by the commissioner of that agency;
(F) the Department of State Health Services, designated by the
commissioner of that agency;
(G) the Texas Education Agency, designated by the commissioner
of that agency;
(H) the Texas Youth Commission, designated by the executive
commissioner of that agency;
(I) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, designated by the
executive director of that agency; and
(J) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or
Mental Impairments, designated by the director of that office;
and
(2) eight nonvoting members who are:
(A) a representative of a local mental health authority or a
local mental retardation authority, appointed by the governor;
(B) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by
the speaker of the house of representatives;
(C) two senators, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(D) three parents or consumer advocates, one each appointed by
the commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Youth
Commission.
(b) The members of the task force appointed under Subsection
(a)(2)(D) may serve a five-year term or may elect to serve for a
shorter period.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.008. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at least
once each quarter.
(b) The task force shall provide an opportunity for statewide
public participation in at least two meetings in each calendar
year.
(c) All meetings of the task force shall be conducted in
accordance with Chapter 551, Government Code.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.009. INTERAGENCY COORDINATOR; STAFF. (a) The governor
shall appoint an interagency coordinator from the commission as
the presiding officer of the task force.
(b) The interagency coordinator shall hire a full-time director
and administrative assistant to support the duties and functions
of the task force.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.010. TASK FORCE DIRECTOR. The task force director
hired by the interagency coordinator under Section 115.009 shall:
(1) prepare on behalf of the task force the plan and reports
required under this chapter;
(2) work with each task force representative to schedule
meetings and deadlines relevant to the representative's agency;
and
(3) work with the interagency coordinator to assign subcommittee
leadership positions under Section 115.011.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.011. SUBCOMMITTEES. (a) The interagency coordinator,
assisted by the task force director, shall establish
subcommittees to address:
(1) early childhood detection and intervention;
(2) education;
(3) health care;
(4) transitioning youth;
(5) crisis prevention and intervention;
(6) juvenile justice;
(7) long-term, community-based services and supports; and
(8) mental health.
(b) Each subcommittee shall include at least one task force
member to serve as chair. Consistent with the purpose of each
subcommittee, members shall consult with relevant subject matter
experts, relevant advocacy organizations, staff from related
agencies, and parents or consumers who have used related
services.
(c) Each subcommittee shall report the subcommittee's findings
and related recommendations at a task force meeting at least once
each year. On a biennial basis, the subcommittee shall provide a
written report with findings and recommendations not less than
two months before the scheduled release of the task force report
under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.012. SUNSET PROVISION. The Interagency Task Force for
Children With Special Needs is subject to Chapter 325, Government
Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as
provided by that chapter, the task force is abolished and this
chapter expires September 1, 2015.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
State Codes and Statutes
Statutes >
Texas >
Health-and-safety-code >
Title-2-health >
Chapter-115-task-force-for-children-with-special-needs HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 2. HEALTH
SUBTITLE E. HEALTH CARE COUNCILS AND RESOURCE CENTERS
CHAPTER 115. TASK FORCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Chapter 115, consisting of Secs. 115.001 to 115.012, was added by
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1. and Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2.
For another Chapter 115, consisting of Secs. 115.001 to 115.012,
added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
733, Sec. 1, see Sec. 115.001 et seq.
Sec. 115.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Children with special needs" means children younger than 22
years of age diagnosed with a chronic illness, intellectual or
other developmental disability, or serious mental illness.
(2) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.
(3) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of
the Health and Human Services Commission.
(4) "Task force" means the Interagency Task Force for Children
with Special Needs established under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.002. TASK FORCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. The
governor, or the governor's designee, shall oversee the task
force created and administered by the commission to improve the
coordination, quality, and efficiency of services for children
with special needs.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.003. DUTIES. The task force shall:
(1) not later than September 1, 2010, coordinate with federal
agencies to compile a list of opportunities to increase flexible
funding for services for children with special needs, including
alternative funding sources and service delivery options;
(2) conduct a review of state agency policies and procedures
related to service delivery for children with special needs;
(3) perform a needs assessment, including public hearings to
identify service delivery gaps, system entry points, and service
obstacles; and
(4) develop a five-year plan to improve the coordination,
quality, and efficiency of services for children with special
needs under Section 115.004.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.004. TASK FORCE PLAN. (a) In developing the five-year
plan under this chapter, the task force shall:
(1) identify the party responsible for each action set forth in
the plan and set deadlines for implementation of each
recommendation;
(2) create benchmarks to measure progress toward goals and
objectives;
(3) consult with the Legislative Budget Board to coordinate
relevant cost studies and account for long-term savings of
short-term child investments;
(4) consult with personnel from other states to identify best
practices;
(5) consult with the state demographer and relevant federal
agencies to account for future demographic trends;
(6) consult with pediatric specialists and other health care
providers to determine best medical practices;
(7) coordinate with mental health and developmental disability
advocates; and
(8) develop a timeline for plan implementation.
(b) The plan created under this chapter must provide
recommendations to:
(1) maximize the use of federal funds available to this state
for the purposes described by Section 115.002;
(2) reduce the number of families who experience crisis due to
insufficient and ineffective interventions or services or lack of
coordination and planning of interventions or services;
(3) improve families' ability to navigate the system through
improved coordination between service providers and increased
outreach;
(4) remove barriers to local coordination of services and
supports;
(5) evaluate the feasibility of creating an interagency legally
authorized representative program to provide support services for
children with special needs;
(6) improve early detection and intervention services;
(7) increase the number of community-based options for children
with special needs;
(8) improve accountability for each agency represented on the
task force and other service providers;
(9) reduce existing fragmentation of service delivery to reflect
best practices and eliminate ineffective interventions;
(10) reduce service gaps and overlap;
(11) improve data management;
(12) prevent unnecessary parental relinquishment of custody;
(13) create a core set of quality measures to determine quality
of care and improvements to quality of life; and
(14) improve availability of high-quality community-based acute
and long-term care services and supports.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.005. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The governor's
office and each agency represented on the task force shall enter
into a memorandum of understanding to implement the task force's
duties under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.006. REPORT. (a) The task force shall submit a
biennial report on the progress of each agency represented on the
task force in accomplishing the goals described by Section
115.002 to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives.
(b) The report must include:
(1) stakeholder input, including testimony from parents in each
health and human services district;
(2) progress toward meeting each goal outlined in the plan under
Section 115.004;
(3) current barriers that prevent accomplishing each goal listed
in Subdivision (2);
(4) additional resource needs;
(5) current resources that could be redirected for more
efficient and effective use;
(6) amendments to the plan under this chapter;
(7) recommendations and proposed legislation to help fulfill the
goals of this chapter; and
(8) feasibility statements on related recommendations.
(c) The task force shall publish the report on the commission's
website.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.007. COMPOSITION. (a) The task force consists of:
(1) the commissioner, the executive director or director, or a
deputy or assistant commissioner of:
(A) the commission, designated by the executive commissioner;
(B) the Department of Aging and Disability Services, designated
by the commissioner of that agency;
(C) the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services,
designated by the commissioner of that agency;
(D) the division of early childhood intervention services,
designated by the commissioner of the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services;
(E) the Department of Family and Protective Services, designated
by the commissioner of that agency;
(F) the Department of State Health Services, designated by the
commissioner of that agency;
(G) the Texas Education Agency, designated by the commissioner
of that agency;
(H) the Texas Youth Commission, designated by the executive
commissioner of that agency;
(I) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, designated by the
executive director of that agency; and
(J) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or
Mental Impairments, designated by the director of that office;
and
(2) eight nonvoting members who are:
(A) a representative of a local mental health authority or a
local mental retardation authority, appointed by the governor;
(B) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by
the speaker of the house of representatives;
(C) two senators, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(D) three parents or consumer advocates, one each appointed by
the commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Youth
Commission.
(b) The members of the task force appointed under Subsection
(a)(2)(D) may serve a five-year term or may elect to serve for a
shorter period.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.008. MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet at least
once each quarter.
(b) The task force shall provide an opportunity for statewide
public participation in at least two meetings in each calendar
year.
(c) All meetings of the task force shall be conducted in
accordance with Chapter 551, Government Code.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.009. INTERAGENCY COORDINATOR; STAFF. (a) The governor
shall appoint an interagency coordinator from the commission as
the presiding officer of the task force.
(b) The interagency coordinator shall hire a full-time director
and administrative assistant to support the duties and functions
of the task force.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.010. TASK FORCE DIRECTOR. The task force director
hired by the interagency coordinator under Section 115.009 shall:
(1) prepare on behalf of the task force the plan and reports
required under this chapter;
(2) work with each task force representative to schedule
meetings and deadlines relevant to the representative's agency;
and
(3) work with the interagency coordinator to assign subcommittee
leadership positions under Section 115.011.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.011. SUBCOMMITTEES. (a) The interagency coordinator,
assisted by the task force director, shall establish
subcommittees to address:
(1) early childhood detection and intervention;
(2) education;
(3) health care;
(4) transitioning youth;
(5) crisis prevention and intervention;
(6) juvenile justice;
(7) long-term, community-based services and supports; and
(8) mental health.
(b) Each subcommittee shall include at least one task force
member to serve as chair. Consistent with the purpose of each
subcommittee, members shall consult with relevant subject matter
experts, relevant advocacy organizations, staff from related
agencies, and parents or consumers who have used related
services.
(c) Each subcommittee shall report the subcommittee's findings
and related recommendations at a task force meeting at least once
each year. On a biennial basis, the subcommittee shall provide a
written report with findings and recommendations not less than
two months before the scheduled release of the task force report
under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 115.012. SUNSET PROVISION. The Interagency Task Force for
Children With Special Needs is subject to Chapter 325, Government
Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as
provided by that chapter, the task force is abolished and this
chapter expires September 1, 2015.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
835, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1133, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
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