Bill > SB1461

This bill modifies several aspects of the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General (OIG) operations. First, it clarifies procurement rules for hiring expert reviewers, exempting the OIG from certain standard state contracting procedures when seeking experts to review investigative findings. The bill also expands the OIG's ability to disclose information obtained during administrative oversight activities to various governmental entities, including federal, state, and local agencies with enforcement or prosecutorial authority. Additionally, the bill limits criminal history checks for healthcare professionals, specifying that the OIG cannot conduct fingerprint-based background checks on licensed professionals in good standing, except as required by federal law. The bill also updates the commission's fraud reporting mechanism, replacing the requirement for a specific toll-free hotline with a more flexible mandate to maintain an "appropriate communications system" for reporting suspected fraud. The legislation repeals two sections of the Government Code related to the OIG and includes provisions allowing state agencies to seek federal waivers if needed for implementation. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and aims to streamline and enhance the OIG's investigative and administrative capabilities.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1461