82R4749 EES-D
 
  By: Guillen H.B. No. 2610
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a community-based navigator
  program to assist individuals applying or seeking to apply through
  the Internet for certain public assistance benefits programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter S to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER S. COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
         Sec. 531.751.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Community-based organization" and "faith-based
  organization" have the meanings assigned by Section 535.001.
               (2)  "Navigator" means a person who is:
                     (A)  a volunteer or other representative of a
  faith- or community-based organization; and
                     (B)  certified by the commission to provide or
  facilitate the provision of information or assistance through the
  faith- or community-based organization to individuals applying or
  seeking to apply online through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
  Redesign System (TIERS) or any other electronic eligibility system
  that is linked to or made a part of that system for public
  assistance benefits administered by the commission.
         Sec. 531.752.  ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATOR
  PROGRAM. The commission, in consultation with the Navigator
  Program Advisory Committee established under Section 531.756,
  shall establish a statewide community-based navigator program
  through which the commission will recruit, train, and certify as
  navigators volunteers and other representatives of faith- and
  community-based organizations to assist individuals applying or
  seeking to apply online for public assistance benefits through the
  Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) or any other
  electronic eligibility system that is linked to or made a part of
  that system.
         Sec. 531.753.  PROGRAM RULES. The executive commissioner
  shall adopt rules to implement this subchapter, including rules:
               (1)  subject to Section 531.754, regarding the
  qualifications and training required for certification as a
  navigator;
               (2)  regarding the suspension, revocation, and, if
  appropriate, periodic renewal of a navigator certificate;
               (3)  to protect the confidentiality of applicant
  information handled by navigators; and
               (4)  regarding any other issues the executive
  commissioner determines are appropriate.
         Sec. 531.754.  TRAINING PROGRAM.  The commission shall
  develop and administer a training program for navigators.  The
  program must include training on:
               (1)  how to complete an online application for public
  assistance benefits through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
  Redesign System (TIERS);
               (2)  the importance of maintaining the confidentiality
  of information handled by a navigator;
               (3)  the importance of obtaining and submitting
  complete and accurate information when completing an application
  for public assistance benefits online through the Texas Integrated
  Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS);
               (4)  the financial assistance program, the
  supplemental nutrition assistance program, the medical assistance
  program, the child health plan program, and any other public
  assistance benefits program for which an individual may complete an
  online application through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
  Redesign System (TIERS); and
               (5)  how an individual may apply for other public
  assistance benefits for which an individual may not complete an
  online application through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
  Redesign System (TIERS).
         Sec. 531.755.  PUBLICATION OF NAVIGATOR LIST. The
  commission shall maintain and publish on the commission's Internet
  website a list of certified navigators.
         Sec. 531.756.  NAVIGATOR PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)  
  The executive commissioner shall establish the Navigator Program
  Advisory Committee to assist in the development and implementation
  of the navigator program under this subchapter.
         (b)  The advisory committee must include representatives of
  faith- and community-based organizations.
         (c)  The advisory committee members must be representative
  of the geographic, religious, and racial diversity of this state
  and the diversity of organization types and sizes in this state.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than January 1, 2012, the
  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
  shall establish the Navigator Program Advisory Committee as
  required by Section 531.756, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2012, the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall establish the navigator program required
  by Subchapter S, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.