HBA-CCH H.B. 3365 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3365
By: Maxey
Human Services
3/29/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas Health Steps (THSteps) is the largest and most comprehensive medical
and dental prevention and treatment program for children of low income
families.  Many social workers who currently provide THSteps medical case
management services (services) will no longer be permitted to provide these
services.  The reason for this is that THSteps services  meet the Texas
State Board of Social Worker Examiners' (TSBSWE) definition for "private
and independent practice" that can only be provided by Licensed Master
Social Worker Advanced Practitioners (LMSW-APs) and Licensed Master Social
Worker-Advanced Clinical Practitioners (LMSW-ACPs).  Unfortunately, few
LMSW-APs or LSMWACPs have enrolled as providers for THSteps services.
Consequently, many children are in jeopardy of losing important health and
developmental services.  House Bill 3365 permits all licensed social
workers to provide case management services in the THSteps program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3365 amends the Occupations Code to set forth that the
Professional Social Work Act does not limit a licensed social worker from
providing case management services in the Medicaid program administered by
the Texas Department of Health in accordance with rules adopted by the
Texas Board of Health. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.