78R6857 DLF-D

By:  Raymond                                                      H.B. No. 1548



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to enrollment of certain children in the state child 
health plan.  
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 62, Health and Safety 
Code,  is amended by adding Section 62.1045 to read as follows:
	Sec. 62.1045.  ELIGIBILITY SCREENING AND ENROLLMENT OF 
CERTAIN MEDICAID APPLICANTS. (a) In the case of a child who applies 
for Medicaid coverage, who is not Medicaid-eligible, but who may 
instead be eligible for coverage under the child health plan, the 
state agency that determines Medicaid eligibility shall also 
determine whether the child is eligible to enroll in the child 
health plan.
	(b)  If the state agency determines that the child is 
eligible for the child health plan, the agency shall enroll the 
child in the child health plan.
	(c)  This section does not prohibit the commission from 
delegating to another state agency or to a contractor the duty to:
		(1)  maintain enrollee records under the child health 
plan; or       
		(2)  perform eligibility screening and enrollment 
functions other than the functions described by this section.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this 
section, not later than September 1, 2004, the Health and Human 
Services Commission shall implement Section 62.1045, Health and 
Safety Code, as added by this Act.
	(b)  If before implementing any provision of this Act a state 
agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal 
agency is necessary, the state agency shall request the waiver or 
authorization and may delay implementation of that provision until 
the waiver or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.