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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to continued monitoring and enhancement of health and |
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human services information technology systems. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter M, Chapter 531, Government Code, as |
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added by Chapter 1110 (H.B. 3575), Acts of the 80th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2007, is amended by adding Sections 531.4541, |
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531.4551, 531.4552, and 531.4553 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.4541. POST-TRANSITION ELIGIBILITY SYSTEM REVIEW. |
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The executive commissioner shall contract with an independent |
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validation and verification contractor to independently evaluate |
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and monitor the enhanced eligibility system to: |
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(1) assess whether the system is fully functional |
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relative to the needs of eligible Texas residents; |
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(2) determine whether the goals described in Section |
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531.452 are being met; and |
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(3) allow for the timely, cost-effective resolution of |
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any issues that arise with the system. |
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Sec. 531.4551. STAFFING ANALYSIS FOR TIERS. The commission |
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shall conduct a thorough analysis of staffing needs, including the |
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need for additional state employees and contractor staff, to ensure |
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that the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) is |
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capable of meeting benefits application processing demands, |
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including being capable of processing those applications |
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accurately and in accordance with state and federal timeliness |
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requirements. |
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Sec. 531.4552. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. (a) The executive |
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commissioner by rule shall adopt for the enhanced eligibility |
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system a methodology for establishing minimum levels of eligibility |
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determination staff, qualifications for that staff, and the maximum |
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caseload per staff person, that will ensure that eligibility |
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determinations are made within applicable processing time |
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requirements established by state and federal law and are |
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accurately made. |
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(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall also adopt |
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additional performance standards with respect to the enhanced |
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eligibility system that apply to all eligibility determination |
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staff persons, regardless of whether those persons are state |
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employees, contractors, or contractors' employees. |
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Sec. 531.4553. PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING PROCESSES. (a) |
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The commission, the comptroller, the attorney general, and the |
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state auditor's office shall collectively develop written |
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recommendations for transparent procurement and contracting |
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processes for use in entering into any contract relating to an |
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aspect of the operation or improvement of the enhanced eligibility |
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system. |
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(b) The commission shall implement the processes developed |
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under Subsection (a) in issuing a request for proposals and |
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entering into any contract described by that subsection after the |
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recommendations have been completed. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |