BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2404

By: Johnson, Ann

Youth Health & Safety, Select

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, family-based interventions, such as functional family therapy, are better suited than a juvenile justice system for treating a broad range of problems found in delinquent youth. Functional family therapy provides short-term, high-quality, and evidence-based services for youth with mild to severe behavioral problems and their families that targets parenting skills, youth compliance, and a wide range of behaviors through cognitive, emotional, and behavioral interventions. Coverage is available in the private market for these therapies, but not all at-risk youth in need of these services are covered by private insurance. H.B. 2404 seeks to address this issue by providing for Medicaid reimbursement for functional family therapy for delinquent youth who are at risk for involvement with the child welfare, criminal justice, or juvenile justice systems.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2404 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that Medicaid reimbursement is provided to a provider of functional family therapy services to a Medicaid recipient. The bill defines "functional family therapy" as an intensive, short-term, family-based therapeutic treatment program for children who are at risk of involvement with the child welfare, criminal justice, or juvenile justice systems that is designed to improve family dynamics, communication, and support by addressing core causes of dysfunctional behavior patterns, decreasing negativity in the household, and providing tools to improve parental skills and relationships.

H.B. 2404 provides for the delayed implementation of any provision for which an applicable state agency determines a federal waiver or authorization is necessary for implementation until the waiver or authorization is requested and granted.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.