Bill > HB6399

This bill modifies the Social Welfare Act by establishing clearer limitations on when the director of the state department can deny, suspend, terminate, or place on probation a health care provider's participation in the medical assistance program, commonly known as Medicaid, which is a government-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals. Specifically, the legislation prohibits the director from penalizing a provider for criminal convictions or guilty pleas that are unrelated to fraud, healthcare practice, or specific federal mandates, unless the offense involves certain serious crimes specified in the state's public health or mental health codes. Additionally, the bill outlines provisions for the reinstatement of previously sanctioned providers, requiring the director to allow individuals back into the Medicaid program if their past penalties stemmed from non-healthcare-related criminal offenses that are no longer permissible grounds for punishment under the updated law, provided they do not violate federal law or involve specified disqualifying crimes.