By: Guerra, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Uresti)	H.B. No. 1661
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2015;
	May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
	and Human Services; May 22, 2015, reported favorably by the
	following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote

	COMMITTEE VOTE
	YeaNayAbsentPNV
	SchwertnerX
	KolkhorstX
	CampbellX
	EstesX
	PerryX
	RodríguezX
	TaylorofCollinX
	UrestiX
	ZaffiriniX
	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to Medicaid billing for the services of substitute
	dentists.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
	is amended by adding Section 32.076 to read as follows:
	Sec. 32.076.  SUBSTITUTE DENTISTS. To the extent allowed by
	federal law, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
	Services Commission shall adopt rules ensuring that the same
	standards applying to a physician who bills the medical assistance
	program for services provided by a substitute physician apply also
	to a dentist who bills the medical assistance program for services
	provided by a substitute dentist.
	SECTION 2.  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 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
	of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
	Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
	the changes in law made by this Act.
	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, 2015.
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