This bill introduces two main provisions: first, it mandates that schools must obtain explicit written parental consent for each new service provided to a student under the Medicaid to schools program, with "each new service" defined by a new Medicaid International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnostic code. This requirement extends to any medical or dental treatment provided in a school setting, necessitating parental consent for each new service as defined by a new diagnostic billing code. The bill also stipulates that the commissioner of the department of health and human services must submit an annual report to various legislative policy committees with jurisdiction over education and health and human services, detailing the total cost of the Medicaid to schools program and the number of students served.

Secondly, the bill establishes a pilot recruitment and retention program within the department of health and human services, aimed at addressing employee vacancy rates and ensuring a robust workforce, particularly within the division for children, youth and families, and the Hampstead hospital residential treatment facility (HHRTF). The program may include incentives for department employees, which are not to be considered gifts and are not subject to collective bargaining. The department is required to report on the effectiveness of the pilot program by December 31, 2024, for potential inclusion in the state operating budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. The bill also includes a repeal of the pilot program section, effective September 15, 2025, and specifies the effective dates for the various sections of the act. The fiscal note indicates that while there is no anticipated fiscal impact from the parental consent requirements, the pilot program is expected to increase state general fund expenditures for FY 2025 by between $860,000 and $910,000, with a reduced expense in FY 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:25, 200:27-a
As Amended by the House: 186-C:25, 200:27-a
As Amended by the Senate: 186-C:25, 200:27-a