Bill Caption

Relating to a public outreach campaign for aging adults with visual impairments. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 1917 would require the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a public awareness and education outreach campaign about resources and programs available to aging adults who are blind or visually impaired in Texas. The campaign would have to be tailored to target populations, and disseminated through methods appropriate for each targeted population. In order to support this campaign, the commission would be required to: 

• establish a toll-free telephone number to provide counseling and referral services; 
• post on the commission's Internet website information and training resources for aging adults, community stakeholders, and health care and other service providers that generally serve aging adults, including links to websites, existing videos of public awareness, best practices, and training on available resources; 
• designate a contact in the commission to assist aging adults who are diagnosed with visual impairment; and
• encourage awareness of the reading services for persons who are blind or visually impaired offered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 1917 charges the Health and Human Services Commission to undertake an initiative that is more appropriately conducted by private charitable organizations than by a state agency. Texas Action opposes SB 1917.