83R8738 ADM-D
 
  By: M. Gonzalez of El Paso H.B. No. 2161
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to eligibility for benefits under the Texas women's health
  program operated by the Department of State Health Services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 49 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 49. TEXAS WOMEN'S HEALTH PROGRAM
         Sec. 49.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Department" means the Department of State Health
  Services.
               (2)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
               (3)  "Texas women's health program" means the program
  operated by the department that is substantially similar to the
  demonstration project operated under former Section 32.0248, Human
  Resources Code, and that is intended to expand access to preventive
  health and family planning services for women in this state.
         Sec. 49.002.  AGE OF ELIGIBILITY. Subject to other
  eligibility criteria specified by rules adopted by the executive
  commissioner, a woman is eligible for benefits under the Texas
  women's health program if the woman is 15 years of age or older.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.