PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES UNDER CERTAIN WAIVER PROGRAMS

(a) In this section, "prevocational services" means services that are designed to prepare an individual for paid or unpaid work and achieve a generalized result rather than being job-task oriented. (b) Prevocational services provided under the community living assistance and support services (CLASS) waiver program or another medical assistance waiver program providing long-term services or supports to a medical assistance recipient should be designed to assist the recipient in achieving competitive integrated employment in the community receiving compensation at or above the minimum wage in the recipient's community and in accordance with state and federal law. (c) The commission shall seek a waiver or other necessary authorization from the appropriate federal agency to include prevocational services as part of the individualized skills and socialization services delivered under a medical assistance waiver program providing long-term services and supports. (d) If the commission's request for a waiver or other authorization under Subsection (c) is not granted, the commission shall collaborate with relevant stakeholders and applicable federal agencies to establish a service similar to prevocational services in a manner that is authorized by federal law. (e) If the commission is granted a waiver or other authorization under Subsection (d): (1) the reimbursement rate for the service the commission establishes under that subsection may not exceed the reimbursement rate for individualized skills and socialization services; and (2) if the service is combined with individualized skills and socialization services, the commission shall ensure the service may not exceed the total allowable hours or the total costs for individualized skills and socialization services provided under a service plan. (f) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish clearly stated, service-related performance standards applicable to providers providing prevocational or similar services to recipients under a medical assistance waiver program in accordance with this section. The commission shall monitor the performance of each provider of prevocational or similar services under a medical assistance waiver program to ensure compliance with those standards.