By Kitchen                                            H.B. No. 2149
         77R3606 CLG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to requiring the Health and Human Services Commission to
 1-3     study the creation of an interactive web-based application system
 1-4     for the state Medicaid program.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission
 1-7     shall study the feasibility of creating a generally accessible and
 1-8     interactive web-based application system for use in determining
 1-9     eligibility for and enrolling persons eligible for Medicaid in the
1-10     state Medicaid program.
1-11           (b)  The Texas Department of Human Services, the Texas
1-12     Department of Health, and the Department of Information Resources
1-13     shall cooperate with and assist the Health and Human Services
1-14     Commission in conducting this study.
1-15           (c)  In conducting the study, the Health and Human Services
1-16     Commission shall:
1-17                 (1)  consider similar web-based initiatives being
1-18     implemented in other states;
1-19                 (2)  address the potential effect on enrollment in the
1-20     state Medicaid program;
1-21                 (3)  consider the potential effect on the processing of
1-22     applications, including time-savings; and
1-23                 (4)  consult with potential users of the system to
1-24     obtain input regarding any concerns those persons may have
 2-1     regarding the use of an on-line application process.
 2-2           SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2002, the Health and
 2-3     Human Services Commission shall report its conclusions and
 2-4     recommendations regarding the study conducted under Section 1 of
 2-5     this Act to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
 2-6     the house of representatives, and the presiding officers of the
 2-7     standing committees of the senate and of the house of
 2-8     representatives having primary jurisdiction over the commission.
 2-9           SECTION 3. This Act expires September 1, 2003.
2-10           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-11     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-12     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-13     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-14     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.