By Kitchen                                            H.B. No. 2150
         77R3607 CLG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to an interactive web-based application system for the
 1-3     state child health plan.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 62.103(d), Health and Safety Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           (d)  The commission may permit application to be made by mail
 1-8     or[,] over the telephone[, or through the Internet].
 1-9           SECTION 2. Subchapter C,  Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code,
1-10     is amended by adding Section 62.1031 to read as follows:
1-11           Sec. 62.1031.  APPLICATION MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE
1-12     INTERNET. (a)  The commission shall permit an application
1-13     requesting child health plan coverage under this chapter to be made
1-14     through the Internet.
1-15           (b)  The commission, in cooperation with the Texas Department
1-16     of Human Services, shall develop and implement a generally
1-17     accessible and  interactive web-based application system for use in
1-18     determining eligibility for and enrolling children in the state
1-19     child health plan.  The application system must provide a person
1-20     accessing the Internet site with the ability to complete an
1-21     application requesting plan coverage electronically in a manner
1-22     that allows the applicant to:
1-23                 (1)  receive an immediate response electronically
1-24     regarding the child's apparent eligibility for the child health
 2-1     plan; and
 2-2                 (2)  submit a completed application electronically to
 2-3     the state for subsequent verification procedures and eligibility
 2-4     determination confirmation.
 2-5           (c)  The commission shall design the system in a manner that:
 2-6                 (1)  ensures that the application process is conducted
 2-7     through a user-friendly and interactive format that provides users
 2-8     with immediate feedback and online assistance; and
 2-9                 (2)  enables a user to print an application form or a
2-10     completed application for the state child health plan from a local
2-11     printer at the Internet access site.
2-12           (d)  In designing the system, the commission shall also
2-13     solicit input from the families of potential applicants and
2-14     address, to the extent possible, any concerns those persons may
2-15     have regarding the use of an online application process.
2-16           (e)  Each health and human services agency, as defined by
2-17     Section 531.001, Government Code, and any other appropriate state
2-18     agency shall cooperate with the commission to the extent necessary
2-19     to enable the commission to perform its duties under this section.
2-20           (f)  The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to
2-21     implement this section.
2-22           SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date of
2-23     this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall establish
2-24     the interactive web-based application system for the enrollment of
2-25     children in the state child health plan that is required by Section
2-26     62.1031, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.  The Health
2-27     and Human Services Commission shall implement the application
 3-1     system not later than January 1, 2002.
 3-2           SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.