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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a requirement that public institutions of higher |
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education provide applicants with certain information regarding |
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eligibility for public health programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.9199 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.9199. REQUIRED INFORMATION REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH |
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PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY. (a) In this section, "institution of higher |
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education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) An institution of higher education shall distribute to |
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each applicant for admission as an entering freshman or |
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undergraduate transfer student information designed to educate and |
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inform the applicant about eligibility requirements for public |
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health benefits coverage, including coverage under Medicaid and the |
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child health plan program. The information must: |
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(1) clearly explain the eligibility requirements for |
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the applicable public health programs; |
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(2) address the most common health care needs of the |
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student population in relation to the public health benefits that |
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may be available to the applicant under the public health programs; |
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(3) be tailored specifically to the student population |
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who may complete the necessary forms independently; and |
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(4) include the enrollment procedures for the public |
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health programs, including a link to the Health and Human Services |
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Commission's Internet website that displays that enrollment |
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information. |
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(c) To support the provision of information under |
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Subsection (b), the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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develop informational material about the eligibility requirements |
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for public health benefits coverage, including coverage under |
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Medicaid and the child health plan program, that is: |
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(1) up to date; and |
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(2) clear and easy to understand. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.9199, Education Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies beginning with the 2025 fall semester. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |