1. (a) The commission and appropriate health and human services agencies shall implement a comprehensive, effectively working plan that provides a system of services and support to foster independence and productivity and provide meaningful opportunities for an individual with a disability to reside in the most appropriate care setting, considering:

   1. (1) the individual's physical, medical, and behavioral needs;
   2. (2) the least restrictive care setting in which the individual can reside;
   3. (3) the individual's choice of care settings in which to reside;
   4. (4) the availability of state resources; and
   5. (5) the availability of state programs for which the individual qualifies that can assist the individual.

2. (b) The plan must require appropriate health and human services agencies to:

   1. (1) provide to an individual with a disability residing in an institution or another individual as required by Sections 546.0053 and 546.0054 information regarding care and support options available to the individual with a disability, including community-based services appropriate to that individual's needs;
   2. (2) recognize that certain individuals with disabilities are represented by a legally authorized representative, whom the agencies must include in any decision-making facilitated by the plan's implementation;

   3. (3) facilitate a timely and appropriate transfer of an individual with a disability from an institution to an appropriate community setting if:

      1. (A) the individual chooses to reside in the community;
      2. (B) the individual's treating professionals determine the transfer is appropriate; and
      3. (C) the transfer can be reasonably accommodated, considering this state's available resources and the needs of other individuals with disabilities; and

   4. (4) develop strategies to prevent the unnecessary placement in an institution of an individual with a disability who is:

      1. (A) residing in the community; and
      2. (B) in imminent risk of requiring placement in an institution because of a lack of community services.
3. (c) In implementing the plan, a health and human services agency may not deny an eligible individual with a disability access to an institution or remove an eligible individual with a disability from an institution if the individual prefers the type and degree of care provided in the institution and that care is appropriate for the individual. A health and human services agency may deny the individual with a disability access to an institution or remove the individual from an institution to protect the individual's health or safety.
4. (d) Subject to the availability of funds, each appropriate health and human services agency shall implement the strategies and recommendations under the plan.
5. (e) To determine the appropriateness of transfers under Subsection (b)(3) and develop the strategies described by Subsection (b)(4), a health and human services agency shall presume that a child residing in a general residential operation is eligible for transfer to an appropriate community-based setting.
6. (f) To develop the strategies described by Subsection (b)(4), an individual with a mental illness who is admitted to a commission facility for inpatient mental health services three or more times during a 180-day period is presumed to be in imminent risk of requiring placement in an institution. The strategies must be developed in a manner that presumes the individual's eligibility for and the appropriateness of intensive community-based services and support.
7. (g) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the executive commissioner shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report on the status of the implementation of the plan. The report must include recommendations on any statutory or other action necessary to implement the plan.
8. (h) This section does not create a cause of action.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.