88R2534 KKR-D     By: Johnson S.B. No. 2417       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on the effects of providing child life   specialist services to certain individuals who receive supportive   palliative care.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:                (1)  "Advisory council" means the Palliative Care   Interdisciplinary Advisory Council established under Chapter 118,   Health and Safety Code.                (2)  "Child life specialist" means a health care   provider that offers psychosocial support to pediatric patients and   to the children of seriously ill adult patients by helping improve a   child's coping skills, aiding in the development of holistic pain   management and other symptom management strategies for pediatric   patients, and improving the overall patient experience.                (3)  "Commission" means the Health and Human Services   Commission.          SECTION 2.  STUDY REGARDING CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST SERVICES.   (a) The commission, in collaboration with the advisory council,   shall conduct a study to assess the effects of supporting the use of   child life specialist services by or providing child life   specialist services to adult and child Medicaid recipients in this   state who receive supportive palliative care in inpatient or   community-based settings, including:                (1)  potential improvements to recipients' health care   outcomes and quality of life; and                (2)  anticipated cost savings to this state.          (b)  The study must identify:                (1)  the role child life specialists currently play in   providing supportive palliative care services to individuals,   including Medicaid recipients, in inpatient and community-based   settings in this state;                (2)  the current funding method for child life   specialist positions;                (3)  opportunities for increasing the use of child life   specialist services in this state; and                (4)  best practices for using child life specialist   services as developed by other states.          (c)  The advisory council shall provide recommendations to   the commission regarding the structure and goals of the study,   including recommendations for:                (1)  specific populations to receive supportive   palliative care under Medicaid;                (2)  variables and outcomes to measure in the study;   and                (3)  entities, including hospitals, hospices, and home   health agencies, with which the commission may collaborate to   conduct the study.          (d)  The commission may:                (1)  collaborate with private and public entities as   necessary to conduct the study; and                (2)  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations   from any public or private source to fund the study.          SECTION 3.  REPORT TO ADVISORY COUNCIL AND LEGISLATURE. (a)   Not later than September 1, 2026, the commission shall prepare and   submit to the advisory council a report on the results of the study   conducted under this Act.          (b)  The advisory council shall include the commission's   report under Subsection (a) of this section in the advisory   council's 2026 biennial report to the legislature required by   Section 118.010, Health and Safety Code.          SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 31, 2026.          SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2023.