By Chavez                                             H.B. No. 1097
         77R4740 KLA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to training for certain health and human services agency
 1-3     staff and contractors regarding eligibility of certain persons for
 1-4     services.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
 1-7     amended by adding Section 531.055 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 531.055.  TRAINING REGARDING ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN
 1-9     PERSONS FOR SERVICES. (a)  The commission shall require the Texas
1-10     Department of Health and the Texas Department of Human Services to
1-11     develop and implement programs to provide periodic training
1-12     regarding the eligibility of a qualified alien, as that term is
1-13     defined by 8 U.S.C. Section 1641(b), for assistance through:
1-14                 (1)  the child health plan program under Chapter 62,
1-15     Health and Safety Code;
1-16                 (2)  the medical assistance program under Chapter 32,
1-17     Human Resources Code;
1-18                 (3)  programs operated by the Bureau of Community
1-19     Oriented Primary Care at the Texas Department of Health;
1-20                 (4)  the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
1-21     for Women, Infants and Children; and
1-22                 (5)  programs funded under the Maternal and Child
1-23     Health Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. Section 701 et seq.), as
1-24     amended.
 2-1           (b)  The commission shall ensure that materials developed for
 2-2     the training programs required by this section are accurate,
 2-3     comprehensive, and consistent.
 2-4           (c)  Each agency required to provide training under this
 2-5     section shall require agency staff members who determine
 2-6     eligibility for the programs described by Subsection (a)  and
 2-7     persons with whom the agency contracts to provide services under
 2-8     those programs to participate in the training.
 2-9           SECTION 2. Not later than August 31, 2002, the Texas
2-10     Department of Health and the Texas Department of Human Services
2-11     shall conduct the initial training required by Section 531.055,
2-12     Government Code, as added by this Act.
2-13           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.