81R10773 KLA-D
By: Rose H.B. No. 3284
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continued monitoring and enhancement of health and
human services information technology systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter M, Chapter 531, Government Code, as
added by Chapter 1110 (H.B. 3575), Acts of the 80th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2007, is amended by adding Sections 531.4541,
531.4551, 531.4552, and 531.4553 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.4541. POST-TRANSITION ELIGIBILITY SYSTEM REVIEW.
The executive commissioner shall contract with an independent
validation and verification contractor to independently evaluate
and monitor the enhanced eligibility system to:
(1) assess whether the system is fully functional
relative to the needs of eligible Texas residents;
(2) determine whether the goals described in Section
531.452 are being met; and
(3) allow for the timely, cost-effective resolution of
any issues that arise with the system.
Sec. 531.4551. STAFFING ANALYSIS FOR TIERS. The commission
shall conduct a thorough analysis of staffing needs, including the
need for additional state employees and contractor staff, to ensure
that the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) is
capable of meeting benefits application processing demands,
including being capable of processing those applications
accurately and in accordance with state and federal timeliness
requirements.
Sec. 531.4552. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. (a) The executive
commissioner by rule shall adopt for the enhanced eligibility
system a methodology for establishing minimum levels of eligibility
determination staff, qualifications for that staff, and the maximum
caseload per staff person, that will ensure that eligibility
determinations are made within applicable processing time
requirements established by state and federal law and are
accurately made.
(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall also adopt
additional performance standards with respect to the enhanced
eligibility system that apply to all eligibility determination
staff persons, regardless of whether those persons are state
employees, contractors, or contractors' employees.
Sec. 531.4553. PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING PROCESSES. (a)
The commission, the comptroller, the attorney general, and the
state auditor's office shall collectively develop written
recommendations for transparent procurement and contracting
processes for use in entering into any contract relating to an
aspect of the operation or improvement of the enhanced eligibility
system.
(b) The commission shall implement the processes developed
under Subsection (a) in issuing a request for proposals and
entering into any contract described by that subsection after the
recommendations have been completed.
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 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, 2009.