(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.

Terms Used In Texas Human Resources Code 114.003

  • Advice and consent: Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.
  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Year: means 12 consecutive months. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(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.

For expiration of this section, see Section 114.0021, Human Resources Code.
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