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The 87th Texas Legislative Regular Session ends May 31, and there are many more bills left to examine that could affect the lives of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. The Arc of Texas team, members, and allies have provided input and testimony on numerous bills, as well as made calls, emailed, and met with legislators, and much more. Here's a sample of some of the bills we are tracking and testimony we've given. We will continue to need your support for the final days of session, so look out for more opportunities to participate in grassroots advocacy.
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On Tuesday, April 20, HB 4571 and HB
2831 were passed from their respective committees and moved to the Texas House Committee on Local & Consent Calendars.
Both the Calendars and Local & Consent Calendars committees determine which bills are on the agenda for the full house to consider. Bills that are determined to not have any opposition or are local in nature, like funding a local park, may to be placed on the Local & Consent Calendars committee agenda. This usually means the bill is likely to pass.
- HB 4571 will create a new Statewide Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coordinating Council that provides input and reports on the IDD Strategic Plan. The plan address gaps across the IDD system to support high-quality, cost-effective services to Texans with IDD, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual. Read or listen to The Arc of Texas's testimony
- HB 2831 is a bill that resulted from The Arc of Texas’s efforts on the IDD Task Force and would create an Advisory Committee to provide recommendations for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) confined in county jails, modify the jail intake screening form, provide jailers with training on interacting with people with IDD, and monitor and improve the jail intake process. Read or listen to The Arc of Texas's testimony
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The Arc of Texas submitted written testimony and met with numerous offices to oppose HB 6 and SB 7, which will significantly harm Texans with IDD and their ability to vote with needed accommodations. We will continue to fight for Texans' right to access the vote. Read the testimony for HB 6 and SB 7.
Use the League of Women Voters of Texas action tools to share your opposition to HB 6 and SB 7.
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The Arc of Texas submitted written testimony in support of HB 3720, with revision, by Representative Frank. If passed, this bill combined with ongoing funding of the waitlist, can lead to more timely access to community-based services for Texans
with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Read the testimony
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The Arc of Texas members have been meeting with legislators and submitted comments through the online portal to oppose HB 1675. HB 1675 removes
due process for an individual whose parent wishes to be awarded guardianship. Removing a person’s rights should not be easy, and we will continue to oppose the legislation. Read the testimony
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The Arc of Texas provided written testimony in support of SB 50 by Senator Zaffirini, which would assist Texans with a Medicaid waiver in accessing the support they need to achieve their employment goals. The bill was placed on
the intent calendar for April 22, which means it could be up for discussion and voted on by the full Texas Senate soon. Read the testimony
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The Arc of Texas shared comments on HB 20, a bill that can negatively affect people with IDD in the criminal justice system by removing the possibility for a PR bond should an assault on a peace officer take place. A culmination of advocates’
testimony and feedback resulted in changes being made to the language in a committee substitute. Though the bill is still not perfect, we are glad to see a harmful provision removed. Read the comments
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