88R19636 JG-F
 
  By: Swanson, Klick, Slawson, Hefner, H.B. No. 44
      Morales Shaw, et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 44:
 
  By:  Klick C.S.H.B. No. 44
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to provider discrimination against a Medicaid recipient or
  child health plan program enrollee based on immunization status.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.02119 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.02119.  DISCRIMINATION BASED ON IMMUNIZATION
  STATUS PROHIBITED. (a) A provider who participates in Medicaid or
  the child health plan program, including a provider participating
  in the provider network of a managed care organization that
  contracts with the commission to provide services under Medicaid or
  the child health plan program, may not refuse to provide health care
  services to a Medicaid recipient or child health plan program
  enrollee based solely on the recipient's or enrollee's refusal or
  failure to obtain a vaccine or immunization for a particular
  infectious or communicable disease.
         (b)  The commission:
               (1)  may not provide Medicaid or child health plan
  program reimbursement to a provider who violates this section; and
               (2)  shall disenroll the provider from participation as
  a Medicaid or child health plan program provider.
         (c)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules as necessary
  to implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  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 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.