80R5360 JRJ-D

By: Noriega, Davis of Harris, Zerwas, Anchia, H.B. No. 1238

Brown of Brazos, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of a student health center at an institution of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.953 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.953. STUDENT HEALTH CENTER. (a) In this section:

(1) "Health benefit plan" means any health benefit plan regulated under the Insurance Code, including:

(A) an individual or group health insurance policy; or

(B) an evidence of coverage issued by a health maintenance organization.

(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) The governing board of an institution of higher education may require the institution's student health center to assist a student or other person entitled to obtain health care services from the health center in receiving benefits under a health benefit plan by filing or having a claim filed with the health benefit plan issuer on behalf of the student or other person.

(c) An institution of higher education on behalf of the institution's student health center located within the geographic service area of a health benefit plan may contract with the health benefit plan issuer to provide health care services under the plan to students or other persons entitled to obtain health care services from the health center who are covered by the plan.

(d) Amounts received by an institution of higher education from a health benefit plan issuer as a result of a claim filed with the issuer by or on behalf of the institution's student health center are institutional funds under Section 51.009 and may be used only for the construction, improvement, operation, or maintenance of the student health center or to increase or enhance the services offered by the student health center. It is the intent of the legislature that those amounts be in addition to other amounts of money allocated to the student health center and those other amounts not be reduced.

(e) Not later than January 15 of each year, the governing board of an institution of higher education shall report to the legislature the amount of the following sources of income for funding the institution's student health center:

(1) money received from student fees and charges;

(2) money received from the operation of the student health center's pharmacy;

(3) money received as a result of a claim filed by or on behalf of the institution's student health center under a health benefit plan sponsored by or administered on behalf of the institution; and

(4) money received as a result of a claim filed by or on behalf of the institution's student health center under a health benefit plan other than a plan sponsored by or administered on behalf of the institution.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.