85R24003 JG-F     By: Sheffield H.B. No. 3151     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3151:     By:  Minjarez C.S.H.B. No. 3151       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to demonstration projects to coordinate eligibility   renewal and eligibility recertification for certain children in the   Medicaid and child health plan programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 62, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 62.1025 to read as follows:          Sec. 62.1025.  ELIGIBILITY RENEWAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.   (a)  The commission shall establish a demonstration project through   the child health plan program to allow the commission to   simultaneously renew the eligibility of multiple children within   the same household who are eligible for enrollment in the program.          (b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary   to determine the scope of and eligibility for participating in the   demonstration project.          (c)  The commission shall, to the extent possible, operate   the demonstration project under this section in conjunction with   the demonstration project under Section 32.02614, Human Resources   Code. The demonstration project may not increase the frequency   with which:                (1)  the eligibility of children participating in the   demonstration project would otherwise be renewed; or                (2)  those children's household incomes are reviewed   under Section 62.102(b).          (d)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the commission shall   submit a report to the legislature regarding the commission's   progress in establishing and operating the demonstration project   and recommendations on continuing or expanding the demonstration   project.          (e)  This section expires September 1, 2021.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 32.02614 to read as follows:          Sec. 32.02614.  ELIGIBILITY RECERTIFICATION DEMONSTRATION   PROJECT. (a) In this section, "child health plan program" has the   meaning assigned by Section 531.001, Government Code.          (b)  The commission shall establish a demonstration project   through the medical assistance program to allow the commission, to   the greatest extent possible, to develop and test solutions to   simultaneously:                (1)  recertify and renew, as applicable, the   eligibility of multiple children within the same household who are   eligible for medical assistance under this chapter or for the child   health plan program, including the eligibility of siblings when a   child within the household reaches the age of one; and                (2)  verify the household income of all persons   described by Subdivision (1) in accordance with this section to   determine eligibility.          (c)  The demonstration project must include participation by   one or more households in each of the following categories:                (1)  a household with children who are eligible for   medical assistance or the child health plan program, at least one of   whom is younger than the age of one;                (2)  a household with children who are eligible for   medical assistance or the child health plan program, at least some   of whom are not siblings; and                (3)  a household with at least one child who is eligible   for medical assistance and at least one child who is eligible for   the child health plan program.          (d)  The commission shall simultaneously verify the   household income of all children within the same household   participating in the demonstration project not more frequently than   twice during each 12-month period, with the first verification   occurring before the sixth month following the earliest date that a   child within the household was determined to be eligible for the   medical assistance program, and the second verification occurring   after that six-month period but before the annual recertification   date.          (e)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary   to determine the scope of and eligibility for participating in the   demonstration project.          (f)  The commission may establish the demonstration project   in one or more geographic areas and form partnerships with entities   experienced in outreach, application assistance, and enrolling   recipients in the medical assistance program, the child health plan   program, and any other health benefits coverage.          (g)  The commission shall, to the extent possible, operate   the demonstration project under this section in conjunction with   the demonstration project under Section 62.1025, Health and Safety   Code.          (h)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the commission shall   submit a report to the legislature regarding the commission's   progress in establishing and operating the demonstration project   and recommendations on continuing or expanding the demonstration   project.          (i)  This section expires September 1, 2021.          SECTION 3.  Not later than September 1, 2018, the Health and   Human Services Commission shall implement the eligibility renewal   and eligibility recertification demonstration projects required by   Section 62.1025, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and   Section 32.02614, Human Resources Code, as added 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 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.