By: Rose H.B. No. 5153 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to amending Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code, by adding certain local health entities as provider types for reimbursement under the Children's Health Insurance Program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 62.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows: (5) "Local public health entity" means an entity established by Chapter 121 (Local Public Health Reorganization Act), including health authorities established under Section 121.021, local health departments established under Section 121.031, and public health districts established under Section 121.041. SECTION 2. Section 62.156, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Health care providers who provide health care services under the child health plan must satisfy certification and licensure requirements, as required by commission rules and consistent with other law. (b) The executive commissioner shall establish a separate provider type for a local public health entity for purposes of enrollment as a provider for and reimbursement under the child health plan program. SECTION 3. 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 4. The Health and Human Services Commission is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commission may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose. SECTION 5. 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, 2025.