By: Rose H.B. No. 3076

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the improvement of efficiencies in benefit applications submitted to the Health and Human Services Commission.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 531.03171 and 531.03172 to read as follows:

Sec. 531.03171. REQUIREMENTS FOR THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTING BENEFIT APPLICATIONS TO THE COMMISSION. (a) A third-party entity that electronically submits benefit applications on behalf of clients for assistance programs administered by the commission shall:

(1) provide or facilitate the provision of information or assistance to clients at a physical location in the state;

(2) assist clients with the establishment of an online account for benefit assistance programs on the client benefits website administered by the commission; and

(3) provide clients the opportunity to submit a full and complete benefit application in the format prescribed by the commission, to the maximum extent possible.

(b) A third-party entity may partner or contract with another entity for assistance submitting benefit applications to the commission to the extent the third-party entity meets the requirements of Subsection (a).

(c) A third-party entity shall use a data collection application system that matches the information requirements of the benefit applications prescribed by the commission.

(d) A third-party entity may not be a for-profit entity.

(e) A third-party entity does not include:

(1) an authorized representative as defined by the commission or federal law for the respective assistance program;

(2) a person, community-based organization, or faith-based organization participating in the Community-Based Navigator Program under Subchapter S; or

(3) an organization participating in the Electronic Eligibility Information Pilot Project under Section 531.02415.

Sec. 531.03172. COMMISSION STANDARDS FOR THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES SUBMITTING BENEFIT APPLICATIONS. (a) The commission shall establish minimum standards and technical requirements by contract, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement with third-party entities electronically submitting benefit applications on behalf of clients for programs administered by the commission. The standards may include requirements for payment to the commission for the costs of implementing technology changes required by the contract, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement.

SECTION 2. The Health and Human Services Commission will implement the amendments made by this Act to the extent implementation is consistent with federal law.

SECTION 3. 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, 2015.