Bill

SB 455

85(R) - 2017
Senate Health & Human Services
House Human Services
Senate Health & Human Services
House Human Services
Disabilities
Health & Human Services
Labor
State Agencies
State Employees

Vote Recommendation

Vote No; Amend
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Sponsor(s)

Ina Minjarez

Bill Caption

Relating to the operations of the Employment-First Task Force.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, the commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is required to create the Employment-First Task Force to promote competitive employment of individuals with disabilities. SB 455 would make some minor adjustments to where the members of the task force are sourced from; require the task force to provide assistance to state agencies in implementing their policies; require the task force to meet quarterly; and would delay the expiration of these provisions from 2017 until 2021.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would infringe on the principle of limited government primarily by extending the preferential treatment of individuals with disabilities in employment practices and by continuing the task force. We also note that a bill that has already passed the Senate, SB 497, directed the creation of an office within the commission that would collect similar information. Instead of continuing this task force, we recommend these functions be rolled into the newly created office.

For these reasons, we oppose SB 455.

Organizations Supporting

Disability Rights Texas
The Arc of TexasÂ