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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to peer specialists, peer services, and the provision of |
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those services under the medical assistance program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.0999 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.0999. PEER SPECIALISTS. With input from mental |
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health and substance use peer specialists and other relevant |
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stakeholders, the commission shall develop and the executive |
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commissioner shall adopt: |
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(1) rules that establish training requirements for |
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peer specialists so that they are able to provide services to |
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persons with mental illness and services to persons with substance |
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use conditions; |
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(2) rules that establish certification and |
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supervision requirements for peer specialists; |
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(3) rules that define the scope of services that peer |
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specialists may provide; |
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(4) rules that distinguish peer services from other |
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services that a person must hold a license to provide; and |
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(5) any other rules necessary to protect the health |
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and safety of persons receiving peer services. |
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SECTION 2. Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (kk) to read as follows: |
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(kk) The commission in its rules and standards governing the |
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scope of services provided under the medical assistance program |
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shall include peer services provided by certified peer specialists |
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to the extent permitted by federal law. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section |
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531.0999, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. 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 5. 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, 2017. |