82R7450 ALB-D
	By: Dutton	H.B. No. 1512

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to an electronic record of eligibility for Medicaid
	benefits.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 531.0451 to read as follows:
	Sec. 531.0451.  ELECTRONIC RECORD OF ELIGIBILITY. The
	executive commissioner shall adopt rules to establish a system by
	which a Medicaid recipient's eligibility for benefits, including
	medical care identification information, is electronically coded
	to a card similar to the Lone Star card. The rules must provide for
	the following:
	(1)  after making an initial eligibility
	determination, the commission shall include the card in the
	materials mailed to the recipient with the written notice of
	eligibility;
	(2)  the recipient's periodic eligibility
	redetermination is electronically coded to the card; and
	(3)  the card replaces any eligibility redetermination
	notice, Form H3087, or other written notice of continuing
	eligibility.
	SECTION 2.  The executive commissioner of the Health and
	Human Services Commission shall adopt rules required by Section
	531.0451, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than
	December 31, 2011.
	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 the 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.  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, 2011.