S.B. No. 956

AN ACT

relating to repealing the coordinated strategic plan for health and human services in this state, including related conforming amendments.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 531.024(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The executive commissioner shall:

(1) facilitate and enforce coordinated planning and delivery of health and human services, including:

(A) [compliance with the coordinated strategic plan;

[(B)] co-location of services;

(B) [(C)] integrated intake; and

(C) [(D)] coordinated referral and case management;

(2) develop with the Department of Information Resources automation standards for computer systems to enable health and human services agencies, including agencies operating at a local level, to share pertinent data;

(3) establish and enforce uniform regional boundaries for all health and human services agencies;

(4) carry out statewide health and human services needs surveys and forecasting;

(5) perform independent special-outcome evaluations of health and human services programs and activities;

(6) at the request of a governmental entity that coordinates the delivery of health and human services in regions, counties, and municipalities of this state [identified under Section 531.022(e)], assist the [that] entity in implementing a coordinated plan that may include co-location of services, integrated intake, and coordinated referral and case management and is tailored to the needs and priorities of that entity; and

(7) promulgate uniform fair hearing rules for all Medicaid-funded services.

SECTION 2. Section 531.028(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The executive commissioner shall establish a federal money management system to coordinate and monitor the use of federal money that is received by health and human services agencies to ensure that the money is spent in the most efficient manner and shall:

(1) establish priorities for use of federal money by all health and human services agencies[, in coordination with the coordinated strategic plan established under Section 531.022];

(2) coordinate and monitor the use of federal money for health and human services to ensure that the money is spent in the most cost-effective manner throughout the health and human services system;

(3) review and approve all federal funding plans for health and human services in this state;

(4) estimate available federal money, including earned federal money, and monitor unspent money;

(5) ensure that the state meets federal requirements relating to receipt of federal money for health and human services, including requirements relating to state matching money and maintenance of effort;

(6) transfer appropriated amounts as described by Section 531.0271; and

(7) ensure that each governmental entity that coordinates the delivery of health and human services in regions, counties, and municipalities of this state [identified under Section 531.022(e)] has access to complete and timely information about all sources of federal money for health and human services programs and that technical assistance is available to governmental entities seeking grants of federal money to provide health and human services.

SECTION 3. Section 533.032(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The department shall have a long-range plan relating to the provision of services under this title covering at least six years that includes at least the provisions required by Section [Sections 531.022 and] 531.023, Government Code, and Chapter 2056, Government Code. The plan must cover the provision of services in and policies for state-operated institutions and ensure that the medical needs of the most medically fragile persons with mental illness the department serves are met.

SECTION 4. Section 533A.032(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The department shall have a long-range plan relating to the provision of services under this title covering at least six years that includes at least the provisions required by Section [Sections 531.022 and] 531.023, Government Code, and Chapter 2056, Government Code. The plan must cover the provision of services in and policies for state-operated institutions and ensure that the medical needs of the most medically fragile persons with an intellectual disability the department serves are met.

SECTION 5. Section 40.051, Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 40.051. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR DEPARTMENT. The department shall develop a departmental strategic plan based on [the goals and priorities stated in the commission's coordinated strategic plan for health and human services. The department shall also develop its plan based on]:

(1) furthering the policy of family preservation;

(2) the goal of ending the abuse and neglect of children in the conservatorship of the department; and

(3) the goal of increasing the capacity and availability of foster, relative, and kinship placements in this state.

SECTION 6. Section 531.022, Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 956 passed the Senate on April 13, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 956 passed the House on May 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 111, Nays 27, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor