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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a community-based navigator |
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program to assist individuals applying or seeking to apply through |
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the Internet for certain public assistance benefits programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter S to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER S. COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATOR PROGRAM |
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Sec. 531.751. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Community-based organization" and "faith-based |
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organization" have the meanings assigned by Section 535.001. |
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(2) "Navigator" means a person who is: |
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(A) a volunteer or other representative of a |
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faith- or community-based organization; and |
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(B) certified by the commission to provide or |
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facilitate the provision of information or assistance through the |
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faith- or community-based organization to individuals applying or |
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seeking to apply online through the Texas Integrated Eligibility |
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Redesign System (TIERS) or any other electronic eligibility system |
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that is linked to or made a part of that system for public |
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assistance benefits administered by the commission. |
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Sec. 531.752. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATOR |
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PROGRAM. The commission, in consultation with the Navigator |
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Program Advisory Committee established under Section 531.756, |
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shall establish a statewide community-based navigator program |
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through which the commission will recruit, train, and certify as |
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navigators volunteers and other representatives of faith- and |
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community-based organizations to assist individuals applying or |
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seeking to apply online for public assistance benefits through the |
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Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) or any other |
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electronic eligibility system that is linked to or made a part of |
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that system. |
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Sec. 531.753. PROGRAM RULES. The executive commissioner |
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shall adopt rules to implement this subchapter, including rules: |
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(1) subject to Section 531.754, regarding the |
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qualifications and training required for certification as a |
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navigator; |
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(2) regarding the suspension, revocation, and, if |
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appropriate, periodic renewal of a navigator certificate; |
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(3) to protect the confidentiality of applicant |
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information handled by navigators; and |
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(4) regarding any other issues the executive |
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commissioner determines are appropriate. |
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Sec. 531.754. TRAINING PROGRAM. The commission shall |
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develop and administer a training program for navigators. The |
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program must include training on: |
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(1) how to complete an online application for public |
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assistance benefits through the Texas Integrated Eligibility |
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Redesign System (TIERS); |
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(2) the importance of maintaining the confidentiality |
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of information handled by a navigator; |
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(3) the importance of obtaining and submitting |
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complete and accurate information when completing an application |
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for public assistance benefits online through the Texas Integrated |
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Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS); |
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(4) the financial assistance program, the |
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supplemental nutrition assistance program, the medical assistance |
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program, the child health plan program, and any other public |
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assistance benefits program for which an individual may complete an |
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online application through the Texas Integrated Eligibility |
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Redesign System (TIERS); and |
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(5) how an individual may apply for other public |
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assistance benefits for which an individual may not complete an |
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online application through the Texas Integrated Eligibility |
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Redesign System (TIERS). |
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Sec. 531.755. PUBLICATION OF NAVIGATOR LIST. The |
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commission shall maintain and publish on the commission's Internet |
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website a list of certified navigators. |
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Sec. 531.756. NAVIGATOR PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) |
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The executive commissioner shall establish the Navigator Program |
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Advisory Committee to assist in the development and implementation |
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of the navigator program under this subchapter. |
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(b) The advisory committee must include representatives of |
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faith- and community-based organizations. |
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(c) The advisory committee members must be representative |
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of the geographic, religious, and racial diversity of this state |
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and the diversity of organization types and sizes in this state. |
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SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2012, the |
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executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission |
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shall establish the Navigator Program Advisory Committee as |
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required by Section 531.756, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) Not later than September 1, 2012, the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall establish the navigator program required |
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by Subchapter S, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |