88R5688 KKR-D By: Meza H.B. No. 2036 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the reimbursement rate for meals provided under the home-delivered meals program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.02483 to read as follows: Sec. 531.02483. HOME-DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM REIMBURSEMENT RATE; ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT. (a) In this section, "home-delivered meals program" means the program administered by the commission under which a contracted provider agency delivers meals to certain eligible individuals, including: (1) recipients receiving services under the STAR+PLUS home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver program; (2) individuals receiving community services and supports under Title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1397 et seq.); and (3) individuals receiving services from area agencies on aging under Title III of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 501 et seq.). (b) Subject to Subsection (c), the executive commissioner by rule shall increase the reimbursement rate ceiling prescribed for a meal provided under the home-delivered meals program to $10 per meal. (c) Not later than October 1 of each year, the reimbursement rate ceiling for a meal provided under the home-delivered meals program must be adjusted to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or its successor index during the preceding fiscal year. 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, 2023.