88R12202 SCP-D By: Campos H.B. No. 4253 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study on the coverage of certain infants under Medicaid. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission. SECTION 2. STUDY ON INFANTS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID. The commission shall conduct a study to assess the commission's compliance with federal guidelines and requirements on the required coverage of certain infants under Medicaid. In conducting the study, the commission shall examine whether or the extent to which the commission: (1) provides Medicaid coverage to infants born in this state whose mother was a Medicaid recipient at the time of the birth; (2) requires the submission of a separate application or eligibility determination for infants born in this state whose mother was a Medicaid recipient at the time of the birth; (3) requires by rule or otherwise that an infant born in this state whose mother was a Medicaid recipient at the time of the birth reside with the infant's mother to remain eligible for Medicaid; (4) allows an infant to receive Medicaid coverage by using the Medicaid identification number of the infant's mother from the period between the infant's birth until the infant reaches one year of age or, if the mother does not have a Medicaid identification number, provides a separate Medicaid identification number to an infant; (5) requires proof of citizenship for an infant to receive Medicaid coverage before the infant reaches one year of age; (6) ensures that an infant remains eligible from the period between the infant's birth until the infant reaches at least one year of age, unless the infant dies, is moved outside this state, or is voluntarily disenrolled from Medicaid; and (7) conducts a redetermination of eligibility for infants before they reach one year of age. SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2024, the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the legislature a written report that: (1) summarizes the results of the study conducted under Section 2 of this Act; and (2) includes any legislative recommendations based on the results of the study on how to improve coverage rates and related requirements for infants eligible for Medicaid. SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2025. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.