77R9184 KLA-D                           
         By Naishtat, Thompson                                  H.B. No. 479
         Substitute the following for H.B. No. 479:
         By Naishtat                                        C.S.H.B. No. 479
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to providing dental services to certain recipients of
 1-3     medical assistance.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Subsection (x) to read as follows:
 1-7           (x)  Subject to the availability of funds, the department
 1-8     shall provide dental services annually to a resident of a nursing
 1-9     facility who is a recipient of medical assistance under this
1-10     chapter.  The dental services must include:
1-11                 (1)  a dental examination by a licensed dentist;
1-12                 (2)  a prophylaxis by a licensed dentist or licensed
1-13     dental hygienist, if practical considering the health of the
1-14     resident; and
1-15                 (3)  diagnostic dental x-rays, if possible.
1-16           SECTION 2.  The Health and Human Services Commission, in
1-17     cooperation with the Texas Department of Health and the Texas
1-18     Department of Human Services, shall by rule develop a fee schedule
1-19     for dental services provided under Section 32.024(x), Human
1-20     Resources Code, as added by this Act.
1-21           SECTION 3.  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission
1-22     shall conduct a study regarding the need for and cost of expanding
1-23     the dental services provided under Section 32.024(x), Human
1-24     Resources Code, as added by this Act.
 2-1           (b)  Not later than December 1, 2002, the commissioner of
 2-2     health and human services shall report to the governor, the
 2-3     lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
 2-4     and the presiding officers of the standing committees of the senate
 2-5     and of the house of representatives having primary jurisdiction
 2-6     over the Health and Human Services Commission the results of the
 2-7     study, including an analysis of the costs, benefits, and
 2-8     feasibility of expanding dental services provided under Section
 2-9     32.024(x), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.
2-10           SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
2-11     a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
2-12     federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
2-13     the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
2-14     authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
2-15     waiver or authorization is granted.
2-16           SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.