BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 1952

By: Paxton

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The school health and related services (SHARS) program is a federally funded program that provides Medicaid reimbursement to participating local education agencies, including public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, and that delivers direct medical services to Medicaid-eligible special education students in the school environment as specified in each student's individualized education program. S.B. 1952 seeks to ensure that Texas schools properly apply for and receive Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health services by establishing the Health and Human Services Commission as the sole state agency responsible for administering SHARS.

 

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

 

S.B. 1952 amends the Government Code to establish that, in accordance with statutory provisions relating to the Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) administration of Medicaid, HHSC is the sole state agency responsible for administering the school health and related services program. The bill requires HHSC to do the following:

·       oversee the participation of local education agencies as providers in the school health and related services program, including the following:

o   the administration of provider training; and

o   the provision of information and guidance regarding the program to those providers, including guidance on applicable federal and state regulatory requirements; and

·       collaborate with regional education service centers to provide resources, information, and other appropriate assistance to local education agencies participating or seeking to participate as providers in the school health and related services program.

The bill requires HHSC and the Texas Education Agency to enter into a memorandum of understanding that specifically identifies the responsibilities of each agency with respect to operating the school health and related services program.

 

S.B. 1952 defines the following terms:

·       "local education agency" as including a public school district or open-enrollment charter school; and

·       "regional education service center" as a regional education service center established under applicable Education Code provisions.

If before implementing any of the bill's provisions 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 must request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.