82R4749 EES-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 2610
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a community-based navigator
program to assist individuals applying or seeking to apply through
the Internet for certain public assistance benefits programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter S to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER S. COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
Sec. 531.751. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Community-based organization" and "faith-based
organization" have the meanings assigned by Section 535.001.
(2) "Navigator" means a person who is:
(A) a volunteer or other representative of a
faith- or community-based organization; and
(B) certified by the commission to provide or
facilitate the provision of information or assistance through the
faith- or community-based organization to individuals applying or
seeking to apply online through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
Redesign System (TIERS) or any other electronic eligibility system
that is linked to or made a part of that system for public
assistance benefits administered by the commission.
Sec. 531.752. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED NAVIGATOR
PROGRAM. The commission, in consultation with the Navigator
Program Advisory Committee established under Section 531.756,
shall establish a statewide community-based navigator program
through which the commission will recruit, train, and certify as
navigators volunteers and other representatives of faith- and
community-based organizations to assist individuals applying or
seeking to apply online for public assistance benefits through the
Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) or any other
electronic eligibility system that is linked to or made a part of
that system.
Sec. 531.753. PROGRAM RULES. The executive commissioner
shall adopt rules to implement this subchapter, including rules:
(1) subject to Section 531.754, regarding the
qualifications and training required for certification as a
navigator;
(2) regarding the suspension, revocation, and, if
appropriate, periodic renewal of a navigator certificate;
(3) to protect the confidentiality of applicant
information handled by navigators; and
(4) regarding any other issues the executive
commissioner determines are appropriate.
Sec. 531.754. TRAINING PROGRAM. The commission shall
develop and administer a training program for navigators. The
program must include training on:
(1) how to complete an online application for public
assistance benefits through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
Redesign System (TIERS);
(2) the importance of maintaining the confidentiality
of information handled by a navigator;
(3) the importance of obtaining and submitting
complete and accurate information when completing an application
for public assistance benefits online through the Texas Integrated
Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS);
(4) the financial assistance program, the
supplemental nutrition assistance program, the medical assistance
program, the child health plan program, and any other public
assistance benefits program for which an individual may complete an
online application through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
Redesign System (TIERS); and
(5) how an individual may apply for other public
assistance benefits for which an individual may not complete an
online application through the Texas Integrated Eligibility
Redesign System (TIERS).
Sec. 531.755. PUBLICATION OF NAVIGATOR LIST. The
commission shall maintain and publish on the commission's Internet
website a list of certified navigators.
Sec. 531.756. NAVIGATOR PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)
The executive commissioner shall establish the Navigator Program
Advisory Committee to assist in the development and implementation
of the navigator program under this subchapter.
(b) The advisory committee must include representatives of
faith- and community-based organizations.
(c) The advisory committee members must be representative
of the geographic, religious, and racial diversity of this state
and the diversity of organization types and sizes in this state.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2012, the
executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
shall establish the Navigator Program Advisory Committee as
required by Section 531.756, Government Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2012, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall establish the navigator program required
by Subchapter S, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.