Bill Text: TX SB8 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to the provision and delivery of certain health and human services in this state, including the provision of those services through the Medicaid program and the prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse in that program and other programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-14 - Effective on 9/1/13 [SB8 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-SB8-Comm_Sub.html
 
 
  By: Nelson, Patrick, Schwertner  S.B. No. 8
         (In the Senate - Filed January 16, 2013; January 28, 2013,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
  Services; February 26, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable
  Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0;
  February 26, 2013, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 8 By:  Nelson
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the provision and delivery of certain health and human
  services in this state, including the provision of those services
  through the Medicaid program and the prevention of fraud, waste,
  and abuse in that program and other programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.0082 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.0082.  DATA ANALYSIS UNIT.  (a)  The executive
  commissioner shall establish a data analysis unit within the
  commission to establish, employ, and oversee data analysis
  processes designed to:
               (1)  improve contract management;
               (2)  detect data trends; and
               (3)  identify anomalies relating to service
  utilization, providers, payment methodologies, and compliance with
  requirements in Medicaid and child health plan program managed care
  and fee-for-service contracts.
         (b)  The commission shall assign staff to the data analysis
  unit who perform duties only in relation to the unit.
         (c)  The data analysis unit shall use all available data and
  tools for data analysis when establishing, employing, and
  overseeing data analysis processes under this section.
         (d)  Not later than the 30th day following the end of each
  calendar quarter, the data analysis unit shall provide an update on
  the unit's activities and findings to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of
  the Senate Finance Committee, the chair of the House Appropriations
  Committee, and the chairs of the standing committees of the senate
  and house of representatives having jurisdiction over the Medicaid
  program.
  SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.02115 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.02115.  MARKETING ACTIVITIES BY PROVIDERS
  PARTICIPATING IN MEDICAID OR CHILD HEALTH PLAN PROGRAM.  (a)  A
  provider participating in the Medicaid or child health plan
  program, including a provider participating in the network of a
  managed care organization that contracts with the commission to
  provide services under the Medicaid or child health plan program,
  may not engage in any marketing activity, including any
  dissemination of material or other attempt to communicate, that:
               (1)  involves unsolicited personal contact, including
  by door-to-door solicitation, solicitation at a child-care
  facility or other type of facility, direct mail, or telephone, with
  a Medicaid client or a parent whose child is enrolled in the
  Medicaid or child health plan program;
               (2)  is directed at the client or parent solely because
  the client or the parent's child is receiving benefits under the
  Medicaid or child health plan program; and
               (3)  is intended to influence the client's or parent's
  choice of provider.
         (b)  In addition to the requirements of Subsection (a), a
  provider participating in the network of a managed care
  organization described by that subsection must comply with the
  marketing guidelines established by the commission under Section
  533.008.
         (c)  Nothing in this section prohibits:
               (1)  a provider participating in the Medicaid or child
  health plan program from:
                     (A)  engaging in a marketing activity, including
  any dissemination of material or other attempt to communicate, that
  is intended to influence the choice of provider by a Medicaid client
  or a parent whose child is enrolled in the Medicaid or child health
  plan program, if the marketing activity involves only the general
  dissemination of information, including by television, radio,
  newspaper, or billboard advertisement, and does not involve
  unsolicited personal contact; or
                     (B)  as permitted under the provider's contract,
  engaging in the dissemination of material or another attempt to
  communicate with a Medicaid client or a parent whose child is
  enrolled in the Medicaid or child health plan program, including
  communication in person or by direct mail or telephone, for the
  purpose of:
                           (i)  providing an appointment reminder;
                           (ii)  distributing promotional health
  materials;
                           (iii)  providing information about the types
  of services offered by the provider; or
                           (iv)  coordinating patient care; or
               (2)  a provider participating in the Medicaid STAR +
  PLUS program from, as permitted under the provider's contract,
  engaging in a marketing activity, including any dissemination of
  material or other attempt to communicate, that is intended to
  educate a Medicaid client about available long-term care services
  and supports.
         (d)  The executive commissioner may adopt rules as necessary
  to implement this section.
         SECTION 3.  Section 531.02414, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (g) and (h) to
  read as follows:
         (d)  Subject to Section 533.00254, the [The] commission may
  contract with a public transportation provider, as defined by
  Section 461.002, Transportation Code, a private transportation
  provider, or a regional transportation broker for the provision of
  public transportation services, as defined by Section 461.002,
  Transportation Code, under the medical transportation program.
         (g)  The commission shall enter into a memorandum of
  understanding with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the
  Texas Department of Public Safety for purposes of obtaining the
  motor vehicle registration and driver's license information of:
               (1)  a recipient of medical transportation services, or
  another medical assistance recipient requesting those services, to
  confirm that the recipient meets the eligibility criteria for the
  services requiring that recipients have no other means of
  transportation; and
               (2)  a provider of medical transportation services,
  including a regional contracted broker and a subcontractor of the
  broker, to confirm that the provider complies with applicable
  requirements adopted under Subsection (e).
         (h)  The commission shall establish a process by which
  providers of medical transportation services, including providers
  under a full-risk managed care delivery model, that contract with
  the commission may request and obtain the information described
  under Subsection (g) for purposes of:
               (1)  similarly confirming a medical assistance
  recipient's eligibility for medical transportation services; and
               (2)  ensuring that subcontractors providing medical
  transportation services meet applicable requirements adopted under
  Subsection (e).
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 531.076 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.076.  REVIEW OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION AND UTILIZATION
  REVIEW PROCESSES.  (a)  The commission shall periodically review in
  accordance with an established schedule the prior authorization and
  utilization review processes within the Medicaid fee-for-service
  delivery model to determine if those processes need modification to
  reduce authorizations of unnecessary services and inappropriate
  use of services.  The commission shall also monitor the processes
  described in this subsection for anomalies and, on identification
  of an anomaly in a process, shall review the process for
  modification earlier than scheduled.
         (b)  The commission shall monitor Medicaid managed care
  organizations to ensure that the organizations are using prior
  authorization and utilization review processes to reduce
  authorizations of unnecessary services and inappropriate use of
  services.
         SECTION 5.  Section 531.102, Government Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (l) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  The [commission, through the] commission's office of
  inspector general[,] is responsible for the prevention, detection,
  audit, inspection, review, and investigation of fraud, waste, and
  abuse in the provision and delivery of all health and human services
  in the state, including services through any state-administered
  health or human services program that is wholly or partly federally
  funded, and the enforcement of state law relating to the provision
  of those services.  The commission may obtain any information or
  technology necessary to enable the office to meet its
  responsibilities under this subchapter or other law.
         (l)  Nothing in this section limits the authority of any
  other state agency or governmental entity.
         SECTION 6.  (a)  Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code,
  is amended by adding Section 533.00254 to read as follows:
         Sec. 533.00254.  DELIVERY OF MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
  SERVICES.  (a)  In this section, "medical transportation program" 
  has the meaning assigned by Section 531.02414.
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (c), the commission shall provide
  medical transportation program services on a regional basis through
  a full-risk managed care delivery model.
         (c)  The commission may delay providing medical
  transportation program services through a full-risk managed care
  delivery model in areas of this state in which the commission on
  September 1, 2013, is piloting a full-risk transportation broker
  model until:
               (1)  the date the contract entered into with the broker
  expires; or
               (2)  an earlier date, if the commission determines that
  earlier implementation is feasible.
         (b)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall begin
  providing medical transportation program services through the
  delivery model required by Section 533.00254, Government Code, as
  added by this section, not later than March 1, 2014, subject to
  Subsection (c), Section 533.00254, Government Code, as added by
  this section.
         SECTION 7.  Section 773.0571, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 773.0571.  REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDER LICENSE.  The
  department shall issue to an emergency medical services provider a
  license that is valid for two years if the department is satisfied
  that:
               (1)  the emergency medical services provider has
  adequate staff to meet the staffing standards prescribed by this
  chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter;
               (2)  each emergency medical services vehicle is
  adequately constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated to
  render basic or advanced life support services safely and
  efficiently;
               (3)  the emergency medical services provider offers
  safe and efficient services for emergency prehospital care and
  transportation of patients; [and]
               (4)  the emergency medical services provider has a
  letter of credit evidencing that the provider has sufficient
  financial resources;
               (5)  the emergency medical services provider employs a
  medical director; and
               (6)  the emergency medical services provider complies
  with the rules adopted by the board under this chapter.
         SECTION 8.  Section 32.0322, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1),
  (e), and (f) to read as follows:
         (b)  Subject to Subsections (b-1) and (e), the [The]
  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
  by rule shall establish criteria for the department or the
  commission's office of inspector general to suspend a provider's
  billing privileges under the medical assistance program, revoke a
  provider's enrollment under the program, or deny a person's
  application to enroll as a provider under the program based on:
               (1)  the results of a criminal history check;
               (2)  any exclusion or debarment of the provider from
  participation in a state or federally funded health care program;
               (3)  the provider's failure to bill for medical
  assistance or refer clients for medical assistance within a
  12-month period; or
               (4)  any of the provider screening or enrollment
  provisions contained in 42 C.F.R. Part 455, Subpart E.
         (b-1)  In adopting rules under this section, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  require revocation of a provider's enrollment or denial of a
  person's application for enrollment as a provider under the medical
  assistance program if the person has been excluded or debarred from
  participation in a state or federally funded health care program as
  a result of:
               (1)  a criminal conviction or finding of civil or
  administrative liability for committing a fraudulent act, theft,
  embezzlement, or other financial misconduct under a state or
  federally funded health care program; or
               (2)  a criminal conviction for committing an act under
  a state or federally funded health care program that caused bodily
  injury to:
                     (A)  a person who is 65 years of age or older;
                     (B)  a person with a disability; or
                     (C)  a person under 18 years of age.
         (e)  The department may reinstate a provider's enrollment
  under the medical assistance program or grant a person's previously
  denied application to enroll as a provider, including a person
  described by Subsection (b-1), if the department finds:
               (1)  good cause to determine that it is in the best
  interest of the medical assistance program; and
               (2)  the person has not committed an act that would
  require revocation of a provider's enrollment or denial of a
  person's application to enroll since the person's enrollment was
  revoked or application was denied, as appropriate.
         (f)  The department must support a determination made under
  Subsection (e) with written findings of good cause for the
  determination.
         SECTION 9.  Section 36.005, Human Resources Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 36.005.  SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AGREEMENT;
  PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE. (a)  A health and human services agency,
  as defined by Section 531.001, Government Code:
               (1)  shall suspend or revoke:
                     (A)  a provider agreement between the agency and a
  person, other than a person who operates a nursing facility or an
  ICF-MR facility, found liable under Section 36.052; and
                     (B)  a permit, license, or certification granted
  by the agency to a person, other than a person who operates a
  nursing facility or an ICF-MR facility, found liable under Section
  36.052; and
               (2)  may suspend or revoke:
                     (A)  a provider agreement between the agency and a
  person who operates a nursing facility or an ICF-MR facility and who
  is found liable under Section 36.052; or
                     (B)  a permit, license, or certification granted
  by the agency to a person who operates a nursing facility or an
  ICF-MR facility and who is found liable under Section 36.052.
         (b)  A provider found liable under Section 36.052 for an
  unlawful act may not, for a period of 10 years, provide or arrange
  to provide health care services under the Medicaid program or
  supply or sell, directly or indirectly, a product to or under the
  Medicaid program. The executive commissioner of the Health and
  Human Services Commission may by rule:
               (1)  provide for a period of ineligibility longer than
  10 years; or
               (2)  grant a provider a full or partial exemption from
  the period of ineligibility required by this subsection if the
  executive commissioner finds that enforcement of the full period of
  ineligibility is harmful to the Medicaid program or a beneficiary
  of the program.
         (b-1)  The period of ineligibility begins on the date on
  which the judgment finding the provider liable under Section 36.052
  is entered by the trial court [determination that the provider is
  liable becomes final].
         (b-2)  Subsections (b) and (b-1) do not apply to a provider
  who operates a nursing facility or an ICF-MR facility.
         (c)  A person licensed by a state regulatory agency who
  commits an unlawful act is subject to professional discipline under
  the applicable licensing law or rules adopted under that law.
         (d)  For purposes of this section, a person is considered to
  have been found liable under Section 36.052 if the person is found
  liable in an action brought under Subchapter C.
         (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b-1), the period of
  ineligibility for an individual licensed by a health care
  regulatory agency or a physician begins on the date on which the
  determination that the individual or physician is liable becomes
  final.
         (f)  For purposes of Subsection (e), a "physician" includes a
  physician, a professional association composed solely of
  physicians, a single legal entity authorized to practice medicine
  owned by two or more physicians, a nonprofit health corporation
  certified by the Texas Medical Board under Chapter 162, Occupations
  Code, or a partnership composed solely of physicians.
         (g)  For purposes of Subsection (e), "health care regulatory
  agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 774.001, Government
  Code.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter C, Chapter 36, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 36.1041 to read as follows:
         Sec. 36.1041.  NOTIFICATION OF SETTLEMENT.  (a)  Not later
  than the 10th day after the date a person described by Section
  36.104(b) reaches a proposed settlement agreement with a defendant,
  the person must notify the attorney general.  If the person fails to
  notify the attorney general as required by this section, the
  proposed settlement is void.
         (b)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the attorney
  general receives notice under Subsection (a), the attorney general
  shall file any objections to the terms of the proposed settlement
  agreement with the court.
         (c)  On filing of objections under Subsection (b), the court
  shall conduct a hearing.  On a showing of good cause, the hearing
  may be held in camera.  If, after the hearing, the court determines
  that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable
  under all the circumstances, the court may allow the parties to
  settle notwithstanding the attorney general's objection.
         (d)  If, after the hearing, the court determines that the
  attorney general's objection is well founded, the settlement shall
  not be approved by the court.  The court may order the parties to
  renegotiate the settlement to address the attorney general's
  objection.
         SECTION 11.  (a)  The Health and Human Services Commission,
  in cooperation with the Department of State Health Services and the
  Texas Medical Board, shall:
               (1)  as soon as practicable after the effective date of
  this Act, conduct a thorough review of and solicit stakeholder
  input regarding the laws and policies related to the use of
  non-emergent services provided by ambulance providers under the
  medical assistance program established under Chapter 32, Human
  Resources Code;
               (2)  not later that January 1, 2014, make
  recommendations to the legislature regarding suggested changes to
  the law that would reduce the incidence of and opportunities for
  fraud, waste, and abuse with respect to the activities described by
  Subdivision (1) of this subsection; and
               (3)  amend the policies described by Subdivision (1) of
  this subsection as necessary to assist in accomplishing the goals
  described by Subdivision (2) of this subsection.
         (b)  This section expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 12.  (a)  The Department of State Health Services,
  in cooperation with the Health and Human Services Commission and
  the Texas Medical Board, shall:
               (1)  as soon as practicable after the effective date of
  this Act, conduct a thorough review of and solicit stakeholder
  input regarding the laws and policies related to the licensure of
  nonemergency transportation providers;
               (2)  not later than January 1, 2014, make
  recommendations to the legislature regarding suggested changes to
  the law that would reduce the incidence of and opportunities for
  fraud, waste, and abuse with respect to the activities described by
  Subdivision (1) of this subsection; and
               (3)  amend the policies described by Subdivision (1) of
  this subsection as necessary to assist in accomplishing the goals
  described by Subdivision (2) of this subsection.
         (b)  This section expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 13.  (a)  The Texas Medical Board, in cooperation
  with the Department of State Health Services and the Health and
  Human Services Commission, shall:
               (1)  as soon as practicable after the effective date of
  this Act, conduct a thorough review of and solicit stakeholder
  input regarding the laws and policies related to:
                     (A)  the delegation of health care services by
  physicians or medical directors to qualified emergency medical
  services personnel; and
                     (B)  physicians' assessment of patients' needs for
  purposes of ambulatory transfer or transport or other purposes;
               (2)  not later than January 1, 2014, make
  recommendations to the legislature regarding suggested changes to
  the law that would reduce the incidence of and opportunities for
  fraud, waste, and abuse with respect to the activities described by
  Subdivision (1) of this subsection; and
               (3)  amend the policies described by Subdivision (1) of
  this subsection as necessary to assist in accomplishing the goals
  described by Subdivision (2) of this subsection.
         (b)  This section expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 14.  (a)  This section is a clarification of
  legislative intent regarding Subsection (s), Section 32.024, Human
  Resources Code, and a validation of certain Health and Human
  Services Commission acts and decisions.
         (b)  In 1999, the legislature became aware that certain
  children enrolled in the Medicaid program were receiving treatment
  under the program outside the presence of a parent or another
  responsible adult.  The treatment of unaccompanied children under
  the Medicaid program resulted in the provision of unnecessary
  services to those children, the exposure of those children to
  unnecessary health and safety risks, and the submission of
  fraudulent claims by Medicaid providers.
         (c)  In addition, in 1999, the legislature became aware of
  allegations that certain Medicaid providers were offering money and
  other gifts in exchange for a parent's or child's consent to receive
  unnecessary services under the Medicaid program.  In some cases, a
  child was offered money or gifts in exchange for the parent's or
  child's consent to have the child transported to a different
  location to receive unnecessary services.  In some of those cases,
  once transported, the child received no treatment and was left
  unsupervised for hours before being transported home.  The
  provision of money and other gifts by Medicaid providers in
  exchange for parents' or children's consent to services deprived
  those parents and children of the right to choose a Medicaid
  provider without improper inducement.
         (d)  In response, in 1999, the legislature enacted Chapter
  766 (H.B. 1285), Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session,
  1999, which amended Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, by
  amending Subsection (s) and adding Subsection (s-1).  As amended,
  Subsection (s), Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, requires that
  a child's parent or guardian or another adult authorized by the
  child's parent or guardian accompany the child at a visit or
  screening under the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and
  treatment program in order for a Medicaid provider to be reimbursed
  for services provided at the visit or screening.  As filed, the bill
  required a child's parent or guardian to accompany the child.  The
  house committee report added the language allowing an adult
  authorized by the child's parent or guardian to accompany the child
  in order to accommodate a parent or guardian for whom accompanying
  the parent's or guardian's child to each visit or screening would be
  a hardship.
         (e)  The principal purposes of Chapter 766 (H.B. 1285), Acts
  of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, were to prevent
  Medicaid providers from committing fraud, encourage parental
  involvement in and management of health care of children enrolled
  in the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment
  program, and ensure the safety of children receiving services under
  the Medicaid program.  The addition of the language allowing an
  adult authorized by a child's parent or guardian to accompany the
  child furthered each of those purposes.
         (f)  The legislature, in amending Subsection (s), Section
  32.024, Human Resources Code, understood that:
               (1)  the effectiveness of medical, dental, and therapy
  services provided to a child improves when the child's parent or
  guardian actively participates in the delivery of those services;
               (2)  a parent is responsible for the safety and
  well-being of the parent's child, and that a parent cannot casually
  delegate this responsibility to a stranger;
               (3)  a parent may not always be available to accompany
  the parent's child at a visit to the child's doctor, dentist, or
  therapist; and
               (4)  Medicaid providers and their employees and
  associates have a financial interest in the delivery of services
  under the Medicaid program and, accordingly, cannot fulfill the
  responsibilities of a parent or guardian when providing services to
  a child.
         (g)  The legislature declares that a Medicaid provider, or an
  employee or associate of the Medicaid provider, is not "another
  adult" within the meaning of Subsection (s), Section 32.024, Human
  Resources Code, from the date the section was amended, and may not
  be authorized by the parent or guardian of a child to accompany the
  child at a visit or screening under the early and periodic
  screening, diagnosis, and treatment program at which the Medicaid
  provider provides services to the child.  Any interpretation of
  Subsection (s), Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, that allows a
  Medicaid provider, or an employee or associate of the Medicaid
  provider, to be authorized to accompany a child at a visit or
  screening at which the Medicaid provider provides services is
  contrary to the intent of the legislature.
         (h)(1)  On March 15, 2012, the Health and Human Services
  Commission notified certain Medicaid providers that state law and
  commission policy require a child's parent or guardian or another
  properly authorized adult to accompany a child receiving services
  under the Medicaid program.  This notice followed the commission's
  discovery that some providers were transporting children from
  schools to therapy clinics and other locations to receive therapy
  services.  Although the children were not accompanied by a parent or
  guardian during these trips, the providers were obtaining
  reimbursement for the trips under the Medicaid medical
  transportation program.  The commission clarified in the notice
  that, in order for a provider to be reimbursed for transportation
  services provided to a child under the Medicaid medical
  transportation program, the child must be accompanied by the
  child's parent or guardian or another adult who is not the provider
  and whom the child's parent or guardian has authorized to accompany
  the child by submitting signed, written consent to the provider.
         (2)  In May 2012, a lawsuit was filed to enjoin the Health and
  Human Services Commission from enforcing Subsection (s), Section
  32.024, Human Resources Code, and 1 T.A.C. Section 380.207, as
  interpreted in certain notices issued by the commission.  A state
  district court enjoined the commission from denying eligibility to
  a child for transportation services under the Medicaid medical
  transportation program if the child's parent or guardian does not
  accompany the child, provided that the child's parent or guardian
  authorizes any other adult to accompany the child.  The court also
  enjoined the commission from requiring as a condition for a
  provider to be reimbursed for services provided to a child during a
  visit or screening under the early and periodic screening,
  diagnosis, and treatment program that the child be accompanied by
  the child's parent or guardian, provided that the child's parent or
  guardian authorizes another adult to accompany the child.  The
  state has filed a notice of appeal of the court's order.
         (3)  Additionally, the office of inspector general of the
  Health and Human Services Commission has found that several
  Medicaid providers have knowingly offered and provided inducements
  to individuals enrolled in the Medicaid program to influence
  decisions by the individuals relating to selecting a Medicaid
  provider and receiving goods and services under the Medicaid
  program.  Specifically, some providers have offered, arranged for,
  and provided free transportation services to influence
  individuals' selection of a provider in violation of federal law.  
  The office of inspector general has the authority to sanction these
  violations under 1 T.A.C. Chapter 371.  Accordingly, in late July
  and early August 2012, the office of inspector general issued
  notices of intent to assess penalties against providers whom the
  office of inspector general found to have committed these
  violations.
               (4)  The legislature declares that a governmental
  action taken or a decision made by the Health and Human Services
  Commission before the effective date of the Act to implement or
  enforce a policy requiring that, in order for a Medicaid provider to
  be reimbursed for services provided to a child under the early and
  periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program, the child
  must be accompanied by the child's parent or guardian or another
  adult who is not the provider or the provider's employee or
  associate and whom the child's parent or guardian has authorized to
  accompany the child by submitting signed written consent to the
  provider pursuant to Subsection (s), Section 32.024, Human
  Resources Code, is conclusively presumed, as of the date the action
  was taken or the decision was made, to be valid and to have occurred
  in accordance with all applicable law.
               (5)  The legislature also declares that, without
  determination of the weight or sufficiency of the evidence relied
  upon, the imposition of sanctions by the office of inspector
  general of the Health and Human Services Commission on Medicaid
  providers whom the office of inspector general has found to have
  offered and provided inducements to individuals enrolled in the
  Medicaid program in violation of federal law is a valid exercise of
  that office's authority to enforce laws that regulate fraud, waste,
  and abuse in the Medicaid program.
               (6)  This section does not apply to:
                     (A)  an action or decision that was void at the
  time the action was taken or the decision was made;
                     (B)  an action or decision that violates federal
  law or the terms of a federal waiver; or
                     (C)  an action or decision that, under a statute
  of this state or the United States, was a misdemeanor or felony at
  the time the action was taken or the decision was made.
         SECTION 15.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall establish the data analysis unit required
  under Section 531.0082, Government Code, as added by this Act.  The
  data analysis unit shall provide the initial update required under
  Subsection (d), Section 531.0082, Government Code, as added by this
  Act, not later than the 30th day after the last day of the first
  complete calendar quarter occurring after the date the unit is
  established.
         SECTION 16.  Section 773.0571, Health and Safety Code, as
  amended by this Act, applies only to an application for an original
  emergency medical services provider license submitted to the
  Department of State Health Services on or after the effective date
  of this Act.  An application submitted before the effective date of
  this Act, or the renewal of a license issued before that date, is
  governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date
  of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 17.  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 18.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
  * * * * *
feedback