By Coleman H.B. No. 2304 76R7120 KLA-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to certain providers of family counseling services under 1-3 the medical assistance program. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 32.027, Human Resources Code, is amended 1-6 by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: 1-7 (j) The department shall permit a recipient of medical 1-8 assistance under this chapter to receive family counseling services 1-9 through a licensed marriage and family therapist, as defined by 1-10 Section 2, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act (Article 1-11 4512c-1, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). 1-12 SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act 1-13 a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a 1-14 federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, 1-15 the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or 1-16 authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the 1-17 waiver or authorization is granted. 1-18 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-19 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 1-20 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-21 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-22 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-23 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.