BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2933

By: Dorazio

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A couple in House District 122 recently adopted a child. Unfortunately, due to the IMPACT system used by the Department of Family and Protective Services and the TIERS system used by the Health and Human Services Commission, only one legally authorized representative can consent to medical decisions on the child's behalf, creating undue frustration and hardship on their family and other similarly situated families in Texas. This arrangement is not the result of statute, regulation, or policy, but is rather the outcome of the fact these are legacy systems in need of modernization. H.B. 2933 seeks to ensure that, if applicable, both parents of an adoptee can be listed as an authorized representative and be able to provide and receive information on their child's Medicaid benefits.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2933 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to collaborate with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to ensure that, if applicable, both adoptive parents of a child who is adopted from DFPS conservatorship and who is Medicaid eligible are able to consent to the medical care provided to the child under Medicaid and provide and receive information regarding the child's Medicaid benefits, including:

· providing and receiving information through any electronic interface or system used by HHSC to communicate to or about Medicaid recipients; and

· providing information to and receiving information from the following entities:

o HHSC;

o the Medicaid managed care organization arranging for or providing the managed care plan in which the child is enrolled; and

o any health care provider providing services to the child under Medicaid.

The bill provides for the delayed implementation of any provision for which an applicable state agency determines a federal waiver or authorization is necessary for implementation until the waiver or authorization is requested and granted.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.