By Moncrief, et al.                                    S.B. No. 373
         77R2746 CLG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to simplifying the application and eligibility
 1-3     determination process for medical assistance provided to children.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 32.025, Human Resources Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
 1-7           (d)  To the extent allowed by federal law and except as
 1-8     otherwise provided by this section, the department shall adopt
 1-9     application forms and procedures for a request for medical
1-10     assistance provided to a person younger than 19 years of age that
1-11     are similar to the application forms and procedures adopted under
1-12     Section 62.103, Health and Safety Code.
1-13           (e)  The department shall permit an application requesting
1-14     medical assistance for a person younger than 19 years of age to be
1-15     made by mail instead of through a personal appearance at a
1-16     department office.
1-17           SECTION 2.  Section 32.026, Human Resources Code, is amended
1-18     by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
1-19           (d)  In adopting rules under this section, the department
1-20     shall ensure, to the extent allowed by federal law, that
1-21     documentation and verification procedures used in determining and
1-22     certifying the eligibility and need for medical assistance of a
1-23     person younger than 19 years of age are similar to the
1-24     documentation and verification procedures used to determine a
 2-1     child's eligibility for coverage under Chapter 62, Health and
 2-2     Safety Code.
 2-3           (e)  The department shall permit a recertification review of
 2-4     the eligibility and need for medical assistance of a person younger
 2-5     than 19 years of age to be conducted by telephone or mail instead
 2-6     of through a personal appearance at a department office.
 2-7           SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
 2-8     a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
 2-9     federal agency is necessary for implementation, the state agency
2-10     shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay
2-11     implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is
2-12     granted.
2-13           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.