BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1952 89R1693 MM-F By: Paxton; Sparks Health & Human Services 4/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT School Health and Related Services (SHARS) is a federally funded program that provides Medicaid reimbursement to participating local education agencies, including school districts and public charter schools. It delivers direct medical services to Medicaid-eligible special education students in the school environment, as specified in a student's individualized education program. By granting the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sole administration over the SHARS program, this bill prevents a recurrence of the situation in which Texas schools improperly billed SHARS due to inadequate oversight. HHSC's oversight helps ensure that Texas properly applies for and receives Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health services. As proposed, S.B. 1952 amends current law relating to the administration and operation of the school health and related services program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 532, Government Code, as effective April 1, 2025, by adding Section 532.00515, as follows: Sec. 532.00515. SCHOOL HEALTH AND RELATED SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) Defines "local education agency" and "regional education service center." (b) Provides that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in accordance with Section 532.0051(a) (relating to providing that HHSC is the state agency designated to administer federal Medicaid funds), is the sole state agency responsible for administering the school health and related services program. (c) Requires HHSC to: (1) oversee the participation of local education agencies as providers in the school health and related services program, including the administration of provider training and the provision of information and guidance regarding the program to those providers, including guidance on applicable federal and state regulatory requirements; and (2) collaborate with regional education service centers to provide resources, information, and other appropriate assistance to local education agencies participating or seeking to participate as providers in the school health and related services program. (d) Requires HHSC and the Texas Education Agency to enter into a memorandum of understanding that specifically identifies the responsibilities of each agency with respect to operating the school health and related services program. SECTION 2. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes a delay of implementation until such a waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1952
89R1693 MM-F By: Paxton; Sparks
Health & Human Services
4/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1952
89R1693 MM-F
By: Paxton; Sparks
Health & Human Services
4/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
School Health and Related Services (SHARS) is a federally funded program that provides Medicaid reimbursement to participating local education agencies, including school districts and public charter schools. It delivers direct medical services to Medicaid-eligible special education students in the school environment, as specified in a student's individualized education program.
By granting the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sole administration over the SHARS program, this bill prevents a recurrence of the situation in which Texas schools improperly billed SHARS due to inadequate oversight. HHSC's oversight helps ensure that Texas properly applies for and receives Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health services.
As proposed, S.B. 1952 amends current law relating to the administration and operation of the school health and related services program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 532, Government Code, as effective April 1, 2025, by adding Section 532.00515, as follows:
Sec. 532.00515. SCHOOL HEALTH AND RELATED SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) Defines "local education agency" and "regional education service center."
(b) Provides that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in accordance with Section 532.0051(a) (relating to providing that HHSC is the state agency designated to administer federal Medicaid funds), is the sole state agency responsible for administering the school health and related services program.
(c) Requires HHSC to:
(1) oversee the participation of local education agencies as providers in the school health and related services program, including the administration of provider training and the provision of information and guidance regarding the program to those providers, including guidance on applicable federal and state regulatory requirements; and
(2) collaborate with regional education service centers to provide resources, information, and other appropriate assistance to local education agencies participating or seeking to participate as providers in the school health and related services program.
(d) Requires HHSC and the Texas Education Agency to enter into a memorandum of understanding that specifically identifies the responsibilities of each agency with respect to operating the school health and related services program.
SECTION 2. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes a delay of implementation until such a waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.