85R2783 JG-F

By: Sheffield 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 operate the demonstration project under this section in conjunction with the demonstration project under Section 32.02614, Human Resources Code, if feasible.

(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) The commission shall establish a demonstration project through the medical assistance program to allow the commission to simultaneously recertify the eligibility of multiple children within the same household who are eligible for medical assistance under this chapter.

(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 operate the demonstration project under this section in conjunction with the demonstration project under Section 62.1025, Health and Safety Code, if feasible.

(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 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.