By Berlanga, Maxey, McDonald, Serna H.B. No. 1973 74R3828 MLR-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the development and implementation of a computer 1-3 database to reduce fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 2054.0541 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 2054.0541. DATABASE TO DETECT FRAUD IN THE MEDICAID 1-8 PROGRAM. (a) In conjunction with the Health and Human Services 1-9 Commission and each health and human services agency that 1-10 administers a part of the state Medicaid program, the department 1-11 shall develop and implement a health care database to detect fraud 1-12 perpetrated by a program provider or client. 1-13 (b) To minimize duplication of activities, the department 1-14 shall assist and coordinate the efforts of the agencies that are 1-15 participating in the development of the database required by 1-16 Subsection (a). 1-17 SECTION 2. Section 32.023, Human Resources Code, is amended 1-18 by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: 1-19 (e) On the request of the Department of Information 1-20 Resources or the commissioner of health and human services, a state 1-21 agency that administers any part of the state Medicaid program 1-22 shall assist that department in developing and implementing the 1-23 database required by Section 2054.0541, Government Code. 1-24 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1995. 2-1 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-2 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-3 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-4 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-5 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.