Bill > HB4371

This bill establishes a new program allowing parents, legal guardians, or family members of children in the STAR Kids Medicaid managed care program to become "certified complex care aides" who can provide private duty nursing services. To qualify, these individuals must complete specific training programs covering skills like transferring, positioning, personal care, and medication administration, and must be employed by the home and community support services agency that provides nursing services to the recipient. The training includes a mandatory 10-hour program specific to the individual recipient's needs, and the training must be provided at no cost to the applicant. Certified complex care aides can only provide services to a related recipient in the program, must work under the supervision of a registered nurse, and are limited to tasks delegated by that nurse and consistent with the recipient's care plan. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will reimburse these aides at a rate of at least 90% of a licensed vocational nurse's rate, with a maximum of 40 hours of service per week. The program is set to be implemented by September 1, 2026, and requires federal authorization before full implementation. The bill aims to provide more flexible and potentially more comfortable care options for children with complex medical needs by allowing family members to become trained and certified caregivers.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4371