By: Bernal, Ortega (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.B. No. 706
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2019;
May 7, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &
Human Services; May 16, 2019, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 16, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain children who are deaf or hard
of hearing for audiology services under the school health and
related services program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.033 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.033. SCHOOL HEALTH AND RELATED SERVICES PROGRAM;
ELIGIBILITY FOR AUDIOLOGY SERVICES. (a) A child is eligible to
receive audiology services provided under the school health and
related services program if the child:
(1) is 20 years of age or younger;
(2) has a disability or chronic medical condition;
(3) is eligible for Medicaid benefits; and
(4) has been prescribed the services under:
(A) an individualized education program created
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
Section 1400 et seq.); or
(B) a plan created under Section 504,
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794).
(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall provide
reimbursement to a provider under the school health and related
services program for audiology services provided to a child who is
eligible for the services under Subsection (a).
(c) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission, in consultation with the agency, shall adopt
rules necessary to implement this section.
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 September 1, 2019.
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