85R24003 JG-F
 
  By: Sheffield H.B. No. 3151
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3151:
 
  By:  Minjarez C.S.H.B. No. 3151
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to demonstration projects to coordinate eligibility
  renewal and eligibility recertification for certain children in the
  Medicaid and child health plan programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 62, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 62.1025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 62.1025.  ELIGIBILITY RENEWAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
  (a)  The commission shall establish a demonstration project through
  the child health plan program to allow the commission to
  simultaneously renew the eligibility of multiple children within
  the same household who are eligible for enrollment in the program.
         (b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
  to determine the scope of and eligibility for participating in the
  demonstration project.
         (c)  The commission shall, to the extent possible, operate
  the demonstration project under this section in conjunction with
  the demonstration project under Section 32.02614, Human Resources
  Code. The demonstration project may not increase the frequency
  with which:
               (1)  the eligibility of children participating in the
  demonstration project would otherwise be renewed; or
               (2)  those children's household incomes are reviewed
  under Section 62.102(b).
         (d)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the commission shall
  submit a report to the legislature regarding the commission's
  progress in establishing and operating the demonstration project
  and recommendations on continuing or expanding the demonstration
  project.
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 32.02614 to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.02614.  ELIGIBILITY RECERTIFICATION DEMONSTRATION
  PROJECT. (a) In this section, "child health plan program" has the
  meaning assigned by Section 531.001, Government Code.
         (b)  The commission shall establish a demonstration project
  through the medical assistance program to allow the commission, to
  the greatest extent possible, to develop and test solutions to
  simultaneously:
               (1)  recertify and renew, as applicable, the
  eligibility of multiple children within the same household who are
  eligible for medical assistance under this chapter or for the child
  health plan program, including the eligibility of siblings when a
  child within the household reaches the age of one; and
               (2)  verify the household income of all persons
  described by Subdivision (1) in accordance with this section to
  determine eligibility.
         (c)  The demonstration project must include participation by
  one or more households in each of the following categories:
               (1)  a household with children who are eligible for
  medical assistance or the child health plan program, at least one of
  whom is younger than the age of one;
               (2)  a household with children who are eligible for
  medical assistance or the child health plan program, at least some
  of whom are not siblings; and
               (3)  a household with at least one child who is eligible
  for medical assistance and at least one child who is eligible for
  the child health plan program.
         (d)  The commission shall simultaneously verify the
  household income of all children within the same household
  participating in the demonstration project not more frequently than
  twice during each 12-month period, with the first verification
  occurring before the sixth month following the earliest date that a
  child within the household was determined to be eligible for the
  medical assistance program, and the second verification occurring
  after that six-month period but before the annual recertification
  date.
         (e)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary
  to determine the scope of and eligibility for participating in the
  demonstration project.
         (f)  The commission may establish the demonstration project
  in one or more geographic areas and form partnerships with entities
  experienced in outreach, application assistance, and enrolling
  recipients in the medical assistance program, the child health plan
  program, and any other health benefits coverage.
         (g)  The commission shall, to the extent possible, operate
  the demonstration project under this section in conjunction with
  the demonstration project under Section 62.1025, Health and Safety
  Code.
         (h)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the commission shall
  submit a report to the legislature regarding the commission's
  progress in establishing and operating the demonstration project
  and recommendations on continuing or expanding the demonstration
  project.
         (i)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than September 1, 2018, the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall implement the eligibility renewal
  and eligibility recertification demonstration projects required by
  Section 62.1025, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and
  Section 32.02614, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  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 5.  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, 2017.