1-1     By:  Madla, Duncan                                    S.B. No. 1536
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed March 9, 2001; March 14, 2001, read
 1-3     first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
 1-4     April 23, 2001, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
 1-5     Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 23, 2001,
 1-6     sent to printer.)
 1-7     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1536                   By:  Madla
 1-8                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-9                                   AN ACT
1-10     relating to the establishment of pilot projects to demonstrate the
1-11     applications of technology in providing certain services under the
1-12     medical assistance program.
1-13           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-14           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
1-15     amended by adding Section 531.055 to read as follows:
1-16           Sec. 531.055.  PILOT PROJECTS RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY
1-17     APPLICATIONS.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commission
1-18     may establish one or more pilot projects through which
1-19     reimbursement under the medical assistance program under Chapter
1-20     32, Human Resources Code, is made to demonstrate the applications
1-21     of technology in providing services under that program.
1-22           (b)  A pilot project established under this section must
1-23     relate to providing rehabilitation services, services for the aging
1-24     or disabled, or long-term care services, including community care
1-25     services and support.
1-26           SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
1-27     a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
1-28     federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
1-29     the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
1-30     authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
1-31     waiver or authorization is granted.
1-32           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-33     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-34     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-35     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-36     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
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