By: Bucy H.B. No. 76       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to implementing an express lane option under Medicaid and   the child health plan program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 62.1011, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 62.1011.  VERIFICATION OF INCOME.  (a)  Except as   provided by Subsection (b) and subject to Subsection (c), the [The]   commission shall continue employing methods of verifying the   individual incomes of the individuals considered in the calculation   of an applicant's household income.          (b)  The commission shall verify income under this section   unless the applicant reports a household income that exceeds the   income eligibility level established under Section 62.101(b).          (c)  The commission may verify income using the verification   process described in Section 62.1012.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 62, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 62.1012 to read as follows:          Sec. 62.1012.  EXPRESS LANE OPTION ELIGIBILITY; ENROLLMENT.     (a)  In this section, "supplemental nutrition assistance program"   has the meaning assigned by Section 33.0005, Human Resources Code.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other law and in accordance with   Sections 1902(e)(13) and 2107(e)(1)(H) of the Social Security Act   (42 U.S.C. Sections 1396a(e)(13) and 1397gg(e)(1)(H)), the   commission shall implement an express lane option under which the   commission evaluates data received from an applicant under the   supplemental nutrition assistance program in determining a child's   eligibility for coverage under the child health plan program.          (c)  In determining a child's eligibility for coverage under   the child health plan program using the express lane option   implemented under this section, the commission shall open a new   case to ensure there is no delay in providing benefits to the child   under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.          (d)  On determining that a child is eligible for coverage   under the child health plan program under this section, the   commission shall enroll the child in the program in accordance with   Section 1902(e)(13)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.   Section 1396a(e)(13)(D)) if the commission:                (1)  provides notice of the determination to the   child's parent, legal guardian, or custodial relative in the manner   indicated under Subsection (e); and                (2)  obtains the affirmative consent of the child's   parent, legal guardian, or custodial relative in accordance with   Subsection (f) to enroll the child.          (e)  The commission shall provide the notice required by   Subsection (d) in the manner a child's parent, legal guardian, or   custodial relative indicates as the preferred method of contact   when applying for supplemental nutrition assistance program   benefits. If a preferred method of contact is not indicated, the   commission may provide the notice:                (1)  orally;                (2)  by telephone;                (3)  in writing, including by electronic signature; or                (4)  by any other manner the commission determines   appropriate.          (f)  In obtaining the affirmative consent of a child's   parent, legal guardian, or custodial relative required by   Subsection (d), the commission:                (1)  shall ensure the consent is provided:                      (A)  within a reasonable amount of time, as   determined by the commission; and                      (B)  in accordance with identity verification   standards the commission establishes; and                (2)  may obtain the consent:                      (A)  orally;                      (B)  by telephone;                      (C)  in writing, including by:                            (i)  electronic signature; or                            (ii)  fax; or                      (D)  during an initial eligibility or   recertification interview for the supplemental nutrition   assistance program.          SECTION 3.  Section 32.026(e), Human Resources Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (e)  The executive commissioner shall permit a   recertification review of the eligibility and need for medical   assistance of a child under 19 years of age to be conducted by   telephone or mail instead of through a personal appearance at an   office, unless the commission determines that the information   needed to verify eligibility cannot be obtained in that manner or   may be obtained in the manner specified by Section 32.026102. The   executive commissioner by rule may develop procedures to determine   whether there is a need for a recertification review of a child   described by this subsection to be conducted through a personal   interview with a commission representative. Procedures developed   under this subsection shall be based on objective, risk-based   factors and conditions and shall focus on a targeted group of   recertification reviews for which there is a high probability that   eligibility will not be recertified.          SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 32.026102 to read as follows:          Sec. 32.026102.  EXPRESS LANE OPTION ELIGIBILITY;   ENROLLMENT.  (a)  In this section, "supplemental nutrition   assistance program" has the meaning assigned by Section 33.0005.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other law and in accordance with   Section 1902(e)(13) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section   1396a(e)(13)), the commission shall implement an express lane   option under which the commission evaluates data received from an   applicant under the supplemental nutrition assistance program in   determining a child's eligibility for medical assistance benefits.          (c)  In determining a child's eligibility for medical   assistance benefits using the express lane option implemented under   this section, the commission shall open a new case to ensure there   is no delay in providing benefits to the child under the   supplemental nutrition assistance program.          (d)  On determining that a child is eligible for medical   assistance benefits under this section, the commission shall   enroll the child in the medical assistance program in accordance   with Section 1902(e)(13)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.   Section 1396a(e)(13)(D)) if the commission:                (1)  provides notice of the determination to the   child's parent, legal guardian, or custodial relative in the manner   indicated under Subsection (e); and                (2)  obtains the affirmative consent of the child's   parent, legal guardian, or custodial relative in accordance with   Subsection (f) to enroll the child.          (e)  The commission shall provide the notice required by   Subsection (d) in the manner a child's parent, legal guardian, or   custodial relative indicates as the preferred method of contact   when applying for supplemental nutrition assistance program   benefits. If a preferred method of contact is not indicated, the   commission may provide the notice:                (1)  orally;                (2)  by telephone;                (3)  in writing, including:                      (A)  by electronic signature; or                      (B)  in an application for benefits under the   supplemental nutrition assistance program; or                (4)  by any other manner the commission determines   appropriate.          (f)  In obtaining the affirmative consent of a child's   parent, legal guardian, or custodial relative required by   Subsection (d), the commission:                (1)  shall ensure the consent is provided:                      (A)  within a reasonable amount of time, as   determined by the commission; and                      (B)  in accordance with identity verification   standards the commission establishes; and                (2)  may obtain the consent:                      (A)  orally;                      (B)  by telephone;                      (C)  in writing, including by:                            (i)  electronic signature; or                            (ii)  fax; or                      (D)  during an initial eligibility or   recertification interview for the supplemental nutrition   assistance program.          SECTION 5.  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 6.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the   last day of the legislative session.