By: White, Guillen (Senate Sponsor - Eckhardt) H.B. No. 1664

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2021; May 17, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; May 22, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 22, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1664 By: Campbell

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the reinstatement of eligibility for medical assistance of certain children placed in juvenile facilities.

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

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 32.0264, Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 32.0264. SUSPENSION AND [AUTOMATIC] REINSTATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILDREN IN JUVENILE FACILITIES.

SECTION 2. Section 32.0264, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), if, during the period a child is placed in a juvenile facility, the child is hospitalized or becomes an inpatient in another type of medical facility, the commission shall reinstate the child's eligibility for medical assistance during the period of the child's inpatient stay. The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this subsection, including rules governing the procedure for reinstating a child's eligibility for medical assistance under this subsection.

SECTION 3. If before implementing Section 32.0264(b-1), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission determines that a memorandum of understanding between the commission and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or the adoption of policies or procedures is necessary for implementation of that provision, the commission may delay implementing that provision until the earlier of:

(1) the date any necessary memorandum of understanding, policies, and procedures are adopted; or

(2) March 1, 2022.

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 September 1, 2021.

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