This letter informs providers of the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act (“Act”), and to encourage its implementation. The Texas Legislature amended the Estates Code through House Bill (H.B.) 39 and Senate Bill (S.B.) 1881, (84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015) by adding the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act. The Act provides adults with disabilities who need assistance with understanding choices to make their own decisions an option that is less restrictive than guardianship. With the help of a “supporter”, an individual can make an informed decision about where and with whom to live, where to work, and what services, supports or medical and mental care they want.
A supporter must ensure that the information from the provider is kept confidential and cannot release the information to anyone without the consent of the adult with a disability. A supported decision-making agreement does not prevent an adult with a disability from seeking confidential information on his or her own without the assistance of the supporter. If the provider has knowledge of a supported decision making agreement in which the adult with a disability states he or she wants the supporter to assist him or her with decisions about services, the provider must ask the individual if he or she wants the supporter invited to service-planning meetings or other meetings that are convened by the provider. The individual may include in the agreement that the supporter will attend such meetings. DADS has developed an explanation of supported decision-making that is attached to this information letter. DADS encourages providers and service coordinators to provide a written copy of the explanation to each individual served. Also attached is a template for a Supported Decision-Making Agreement to provide to an individual who is interested in establishing an agreement. As a reminder, if a provider suspects any person, including a supporter, is abusing an individual the provider must report it by calling the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or report it online at www.txabusehotline.org. If the person with a disability is living in a nursing home or receives services from a Home and Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA), the call is made to 1-800-458-9858. A complaint can also be made using DADS complaint website. Providers may use the self-reporting website.
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