SRC-TBR S.B. 1305 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1305 77R6583 JAT-DBy: Harris Health & Human Services 3/26/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently Texas children with special health care needs can be covered by health insurance through the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) program or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). As proposed, S.B. 1305 refinances expanded services for seriously ill and disabled children by creating a "wrap-around" program for the expanded services from CSHCN to CHIP and saving Texas money by increasing federal matching funds through CHIP. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 62D, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 62.1515, as follows: Sec. 62.1515. WRAP-AROUND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS. (a) Defines "eligible special health care needs child." (b) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission), in consultation with the Texas Department of Health, to determine which services described by Section 35.003(a) are provided to an eligible special health care needs child as covered benefits under the child health plan and which services are provided under Chapter 35. (c) Requires the commission, in making the determination under Subsection (b), and the Texas Department of Health to seek to obtain the maximum amount of federal matching money for the child health plan and for the services program for children with special health care needs under Chapter 35. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.