88R8791 SCP-F By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2190 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the provision of applied behavior analysis and associated services through telecommunications or information technology under certain public benefits programs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 531.02161(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) To the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent it is cost-effective and clinically effective, as determined by the commission, the commission shall ensure that Medicaid recipients, child health plan program enrollees, and other individuals receiving benefits under a public benefits program administered by the commission or a health and human services agency, regardless of whether receiving benefits through a managed care delivery model or another delivery model, have the option to receive services as telemedicine medical services, telehealth services, or otherwise using telecommunications or information technology, including the following services: (1) preventive health and wellness services; (2) case management services, including targeted case management services; (3) subject to Subsection (c), behavioral health services; (4) occupational, physical, and speech therapy services; (5) applied behavior analysis and associated evaluation services; (6) nutritional counseling services; and (7) [(6)] assessment services, including nursing assessments under the following Section 1915(c) waiver programs: (A) the community living assistance and support services (CLASS) waiver program; (B) the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities (DBMD) waiver program; (C) the home and community-based services (HCS) waiver program; and (D) the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program. 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.