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House Bill 2610 |
House Author: Guillen et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-11 |
Senate Sponsor: Deuell |
House Bill 2610 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), after a certain determination by the executive commissioner of HHSC, to establish a statewide community-based navigator program through which HHSC will train and certify volunteers and representatives of faith- and community-based organizations as navigators to assist individuals applying online for public assistance benefits through the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System or other related electronic eligibility system. The bill requires the executive commissioner to adopt certain program standards and requires HHSC to develop and administer a training program for navigators that includes certain specified training and to maintain and publish an online list of certified navigators.
House Bill 2610 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to establish a statewide Promotora and Community Health Worker Training and Certification Advisory Committee to advise DSHS and HHSC on certain matters relating to the training, regulation, employment, and funding of promotoras and community health workers. The bill requires DSHS, in coordination with HHSC, to study matters relating to employing promotoras and community health workers to provide certain health care services and to develop recommendations for increasing employment of and access to promotoras and community health workers and expanding funding and reimbursement for the provision of such services. DSHS is required to report the findings of the study to the legislature on or before December 1, 2012, and the advisory committee expires December 31, 2012.