81R27553 KLA-D
 
  By: Turner of Harris, Edwards, Naishtat, H.B. No. 1541
      Marquez, Dukes, et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1541:
 
  By:  Rose C.S.H.B. No. 1541
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the Medicaid
  program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  AUTHORIZATION FOR 12-MONTH PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS
  ELIGIBILITY UNDER MEDICAID. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
               (2)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
               (3)  "FMAP" means the federal medical assistance
  percentage by which state expenditures under the Medicaid program
  are matched with federal funds.
               (4)  "Medicaid program" means the medical assistance
  program under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 32.0261, Human Resources Code,
  and subject to Subsection (c) of this section and availability of
  appropriated funds, rules adopted by the executive commissioner
  under Section 32.0261, Human Resources Code, providing for a period
  of continuous eligibility under the Medicaid program during the
  state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2009, for a child
  under 19 years of age who is determined eligible for Medicaid shall
  provide that the child remains eligible, without additional review
  and regardless of changes in the child's resources or income, until
  the earlier of:
               (1)  the first anniversary of the date the child's
  eligibility was determined; or
               (2)  the child's 19th birthday.
         (c)  The executive commissioner is required to adopt rules
  providing for a period of continuous eligibility prescribed by
  Subsection (b) of this section only if:
               (1)  for any portion of the period beginning September
  1, 2009, and ending December 31, 2010:
                     (A)  this state's FMAP is increased as authorized
  by Section 5001(c), American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
  (Pub. L. No. 111-5); and
                     (B)  the applicable percent used in computing that
  increase is the percent specified in Section 5001(c)(3)(A)(ii) or
  (iii), American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No.
  111-5); and
               (2)  the receipt by this state of federal funds
  resulting from the increased FMAP described by Subdivision (1) of
  this subsection results in general revenue funds otherwise
  appropriated to the commission becoming available for the purposes
  of this section.
         (d)  The commission:
               (1)  may use appropriated funds that become available
  as described by Subsection (c)(2) of this section for purposes of
  this section; and
               (2)  is not required to obtain prior approval from the
  governor, the Legislative Budget Board, or any other person or
  entity to use those funds for purposes of this section.
         SECTION 2.  FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION. If before implementing
  any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or
  authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation
  of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall
  request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that
  provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.