By: Rose H.B. No. 3076
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the improvement of efficiencies in benefit applications
submitted to the Health and Human Services Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 531.03171 and 531.03172 to read as
follows:
Sec. 531.03171. REQUIREMENTS FOR THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES
ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTING BENEFIT APPLICATIONS TO THE COMMISSION.
(a) A third-party entity that electronically submits benefit
applications on behalf of clients for assistance programs
administered by the commission shall:
(1) provide or facilitate the provision of information
or assistance to clients at a physical location in the state;
(2) assist clients with the establishment of an online
account for benefit assistance programs on the client benefits
website administered by the commission; and
(3) provide clients the opportunity to submit a full
and complete benefit application in the format prescribed by the
commission, to the maximum extent possible.
(b) A third-party entity may partner or contract with
another entity for assistance submitting benefit applications to
the commission to the extent the third-party entity meets the
requirements of Subsection (a).
(c) A third-party entity shall use a data collection
application system that matches the information requirements of the
benefit applications prescribed by the commission.
(d) A third-party entity may not be a for-profit entity.
(e) A third-party entity does not include:
(1) an authorized representative as defined by the
commission or federal law for the respective assistance program;
(2) a person, community-based organization, or
faith-based organization participating in the Community-Based
Navigator Program under Subchapter S; or
(3) an organization participating in the Electronic
Eligibility Information Pilot Project under Section 531.02415.
Sec. 531.03172. COMMISSION STANDARDS FOR THIRD-PARTY
ENTITIES SUBMITTING BENEFIT APPLICATIONS. (a) The commission
shall establish minimum standards and technical requirements by
contract, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement with
third-party entities electronically submitting benefit
applications on behalf of clients for programs administered by the
commission. The standards may include requirements for payment to
the commission for the costs of implementing technology changes
required by the contract, memorandum of understanding, or other
agreement.
SECTION 2. The Health and Human Services Commission will
implement the amendments made by this Act to the extent
implementation is consistent with federal law.
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, 2015.