HB2276 - Relating to the provision of certain benefits, including applied behavior analysis, behavior supports, and associated evaluation services, through telecommunications or information technology under certain public benefits programs.

  89R6222 SCF-F     By: Howard H.B. No. 2276       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the provision of certain benefits, including applied   behavior analysis, behavior supports, and associated evaluation   services, through telecommunications or information technology   under certain public benefits programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 548.0001(b), Government Code, as   effective April 1, 2025, is amended to read as follows:          (b)  To the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent   it is cost-effective and clinically effective, as the commission   determines, the commission shall ensure that Medicaid recipients,   child health plan program enrollees, and other individuals   receiving benefits under a public benefits program the commission   or a health and human services agency administers, regardless of   whether receiving benefits through a managed care delivery model or   another delivery model or under a Section 1915(c) waiver program ,   have the option to receive services as telemedicine medical   services, telehealth services, or otherwise using   telecommunications or information technology, including the   following services:                (1)  preventive health and wellness services;                (2)  case management services, including targeted case   management services;                (3)  subject to Subsection (c), behavioral health   services;                (4)  occupational, physical, and speech therapy   services;                (5)   applied behavior analysis, behavior supports, and   associated evaluation services;                 (6)   nutritional counseling services; and                 (7)  [ (6) ]  assessment services, including nursing   assessments under the following Section 1915(c) waiver programs:                      (A)  the community living assistance and support   services (CLASS) waiver program;                      (B)  the deaf-blind with multiple disabilities   (DBMD) waiver program;                      (C)  the home and community-based services (HCS)   waiver program; and                      (D)  the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program.          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.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.