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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the certification of peer specialists and peer |
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specialist supervisors for purposes of Medicaid mental health and |
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substance use services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 547.0003, Government Code, as effective |
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April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read |
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as follows: |
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(c) In adopting rules under Subsection (a)(2) for purposes |
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of mental health and substance use services provided through |
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Medicaid, the executive commissioner shall ensure that the initial |
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or renewal application of a person for certification as a peer |
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specialist or peer specialist supervisor is denied only for a |
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period of: |
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(1) three years following the date on which the |
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applicant was convicted of or placed on community supervision for: |
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(A) an alcohol or drug offense punishable as a |
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Class A misdemeanor or felony; or |
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(B) except as provided by Subsection (d), any |
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other offense punishable as a felony; or |
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(2) except as provided by Subsection (d), two years |
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following the date on which the applicant was convicted of or placed |
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on community supervision for an alcohol or drug offense punishable |
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as a Class B misdemeanor. |
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(d) The executive commissioner by rule shall provide for a |
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period longer than the period specified by Subsection (c)(1) during |
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which an initial or renewal application for certification as a peer |
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specialist or peer specialist supervisor to provide mental health |
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or substance use services through Medicaid must be denied if the |
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applicant has been convicted of or placed on community supervision |
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for an offense involving harm or the possibility of harm to a child, |
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an adult, or an animal. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |