85R13331 MM-D By: Walle H.B. No. 3967 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the establishment of a task force to study the financing options for early childhood intervention services. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. (b) The executive commissioner shall establish a task force to study and make recommendations regarding the feasibility of requiring: (1) private group health benefit plan coverage for early childhood intervention services, including speech therapy services, regardless of whether the services are necessitated by an illness, injury, or cognitive defect; and (2) private group health benefit plan issuers to include providers of early childhood intervention services in their provider networks. (c) Subject to this subsection, the executive commissioner shall determine the size and composition of the task force. The executive commissioner shall appoint the members of the task force, which must include representatives of: (1) early childhood intervention services providers; (2) advocacy groups that provide policy advocacy for recipients of early childhood intervention services; (3) the Health and Human Services Commission; (4) the Texas Department of Insurance; and (5) private group health benefit plan issuers. (d) Not later than December 1, 2018, the task force shall submit a report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature that includes: (1) the results of the task force's study; (2) recommendations regarding the feasibility of the requirements described by Subsection (b) of this section; and (3) legislation necessary to implement the recommendations made under Subdivision (2) of this subsection. (e) This section expires and the task force is abolished January 1, 2019. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.