something about peer specialist certification for Medicaid

The text as introduced · 347 words

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.