HB3599 - Relating to the certification of peer specialists and peer specialist supervisors for purposes of Medicaid mental health and substance use services.

  89R7651 LRM-D     By: Gervin-Hawkins H.B. No. 3599       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the certification of peer specialists and peer   specialist supervisors for purposes of Medicaid mental health and   substance use services.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 547.0003, Government Code, as effective   April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read   as follows:           (c)     In adopting rules under Subsection (a)(2) for purposes   of mental health and substance use services provided through   Medicaid, the executive commissioner shall ensure that the initial   or renewal application of a person for certification as a peer   specialist or peer specialist supervisor is denied only for a   period of:                 (1)     three years following the date on which the   applicant was convicted of or placed on community supervision for:                       (A)     an alcohol or drug offense punishable as a   Class A misdemeanor or felony; or                       (B)     except as provided by Subsection (d), any   other offense punishable as a felony; or                 (2)     except as provided by Subsection (d), two years   following the date on which the applicant was convicted of or placed   on community supervision for an alcohol or drug offense punishable   as a Class B misdemeanor.           (d)     The executive commissioner by rule shall provide for a   period longer than the period specified by Subsection (c)(1) during   which an initial or renewal application for certification as a peer   specialist or peer specialist supervisor to provide mental health   or substance use services through Medicaid must be denied if the   applicant has been convicted of or placed on community supervision   for an offense involving harm or the possibility of harm to a child,   an adult, or an animal.          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.