83R3935 EES-D

By: King of Taylor H.B. No. 947

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority and duties of the office of inspector general for the Health and Human Services Commission.

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

SECTION 1. REVIEW OF FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. (a) The office of inspector general of the Health and Human Services Commission shall review how that office works with the office of attorney general to:

(1) investigate fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision of health and human services; and

(2) enforce state law relating to the provision of those services.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2014, and based on the review required by Subsection (a) of this section, the office of inspector general of the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit to the legislature a written report containing the office's recommendations on any additional authority needed by the office to more effectively investigate fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision of health and human services and enforce state law relating to the provision of those services.

(c) This section expires January 1, 2015.

SECTION 2. STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS SNAP FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE. (a) The office of inspector general of the Health and Human Services Commission shall develop strategies for addressing fraud, waste, and abuse in the administration of the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, and the provision of benefits under that program.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2014, the office of inspector general of the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit to the legislature a written report on the strategies developed as required by Subsection (a) of this section.

(c) This section expires January 1, 2015.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.