87R6908 JG-D

By: Powell S.B. No. 662

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the adoption of rules regarding the provision of peer support services to persons older than a certain age and the provision of those services under Medicaid.

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

SECTION 1. Section 531.0999(a), Government Code, as added by Chapter 1015 (H.B. 1486), Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, is amended to read as follows:

(a) With input from mental health and substance use peer specialists and the work group described by Subsection (b), the commission shall develop and the executive commissioner shall adopt:

(1) rules that establish training requirements for peer specialists so that they are able to provide services to persons with mental illness or services to persons with substance use conditions;

(2) rules that establish certification and supervision requirements for peer specialists;

(3) rules that define the scope of services that peer specialists may provide;

(4) rules that distinguish peer services from other services that a person must hold a license to provide; [and]

(5) rules that authorize the provision of peer services by a peer specialist to persons who are 14 years of age or older; and

(6) any other rules necessary to protect the health and safety of persons receiving peer services.

SECTION 2. Section 32.024(kk), Human Resources Code, as added by Chapter 1015 (H.B. 1486), Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, is amended to read as follows:

(kk) The commission in its rules and standards governing the scope of services provided under the medical assistance program shall include peer services provided by certified peer specialists, including peer services provided to persons who are 14 years of age or older, to the extent permitted by federal law.

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the changes in law made 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 September 1, 2021.