Sec. 352.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Direct services" means services provided to a client by a commission employee, including counseling, facilitating the purchase of services from a source other than the commission, and purchasing equipment and other items and providing other services necessary for the client to successfully complete a commission program.

(2) "Direct services program" means a program operated by the commission through which direct services are provided.

(3) "Individual with a disability" means an individual who has a physical impairment, including a visual impairment, or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment, but that is of a nature that rehabilitation services may be expected to enable the individual to engage in a gainful occupation.

(4) "Maintenance" means money payments not exceeding the estimated cost of subsistence during vocational rehabilitation.

(5) "Occupational license" means a license, permit, or other written authorization required by a governmental entity as a condition for engaging in an occupation.

(6) "Physical restoration" means medical, surgical, or therapeutic treatment necessary to correct or substantially reduce a substantial impediment to employment of an individual with a disability within a reasonable period of time. The term includes medical, surgical, dental, and psychiatric treatment, nursing services, hospital care, convalescent home care, drugs, medical and surgical supplies, and prosthetic appliances. The term excludes treatment to cure acute or transitory conditions.

(7) "Prosthetic appliance" means an artificial device necessary to support or replace a part of the body or to increase the acuity of a sensory organ.

(8) "Rehabilitation training" means all necessary training provided to an individual with a disability to compensate for a substantial impediment to employment. The term includes manual, preconditioning, prevocational, vocational, and supplementary training and training to achieve broader and more lucrative skills and capacities.

(9) "Substantial impediment to employment" means a physical or mental condition that obstructs or impairs, or if not corrected will probably obstruct or impair, an individual's performance in an occupation.

(10) "Vocational rehabilitation" or "vocational rehabilitation services" means services that are provided directly by the commission or through a public or private agency and that the commission determines are necessary to compensate an individual with a disability for a substantial impediment to employment so that the individual may engage in a remunerative occupation. The terms include:

(A) medical and vocational diagnosis;

(B) vocational guidance, counseling, and placement;

(C) rehabilitation training;

(D) physical restoration;

(E) transportation;

(F) occupational licenses;

(G) customary occupational tools and equipment;

(H) maintenance;

(I) training books and materials; and

(J) other goods and services for which the commission receives financial support under federal law.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1138 (S.B. 208), Sec. 25, eff. September 1, 2015.