Sec. 114.003. COUNCIL. (a) The Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders is established.

(b) The council is composed of:

(1) seven public members, the majority of whom are family members of a person with autism or a pervasive developmental disorder, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate; and

(2) one representative from each of the following state agencies, to serve as ex officio members:

(A) Department of Aging and Disability Services;

(B) Department of State Health Services;

(C) Health and Human Services Commission;

(D) Texas Education Agency;

(E) Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services; and

(F) Department of Family and Protective Services.

(c) The commissioner or executive head of each state agency shall appoint as that agency's representative the person in the agency who is most familiar with and best informed about autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. An ex officio member serves in an advisory capacity only and may not:

(1) serve as chairperson; or

(2) vote.

(d) The public members appointed by the governor serve staggered two-year terms with the terms of three or four members expiring on February 1 of each year. The public members may be reappointed. A representative of a state agency serves at the pleasure of the commissioner or executive head of that agency. A public member is entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the public member while conducting the business of the council, as provided in the General Appropriations Act.

(e) The governor shall designate a public member of the council as the chairman of the council to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.

(f) The council shall meet at least quarterly and shall adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings.

(g) Any actions taken by the council must be approved by a majority vote of the public members present.

(h) The council shall establish policies and adopt rules to carry out its duties under this chapter.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 956, Sec. 9.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 6.65, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 78, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 838 (S.B. 882), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 838 (S.B. 882), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.