Sen. Jean Breaux

Requires, during the federally declared public health emergency concerning COVID-19, the division of family resources to continue to temporarily waive a family's copayment for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program and make the payments to the child care program provider in the same manner as the division was waiving the copayment and making the payments to providers on January 1, 2022.

Provides that an emergency teaching permit may be renewed annually for not more than three consecutive years.

Prohibits an insurer that issues a policy of life insurance, disability insurance, or long term care insurance from taking certain actions with respect to the coverage of individuals who are living organ donors. Specifies that certain actions constitute an unfair and deceptive act and practice in the business of insurance when taken against a living organ donor by an insurer.

Limits work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to the minimum required by federal law. Changes the requirements for submitting eligibility information for an individual who is: (1) less than 19 years of age; and (2) a recipient of either the Medicaid program or the children's health insurance program (CHIP) (programs). (Current law concerning the submission of eligibility information in the programs applies to individuals less than three years of age.) Prohibits the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) from requiring a participant of the healthy Indiana plan (plan) to cost share or otherwise make copayments in order to participate in the plan. Prohibits the office from requiring an individual to work or be a student in order to participate in the plan.

Prohibits certain health insurance plans from requiring authorization for covered early intervention services under an individualized family service plan signed by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or a physician assistant (PA). Changes the composition and duties of the division of disability and rehabilitative services advisory council. Repeals and relocates laws concerning: (1) rules regulating the sanitary operation of tattoo parlors and body piercing facilities; (2) allowing the executive board of the state department of health (board) to adopt rules on behalf of the state department of health (department); (3) allowing the board to adopt emergency rules; (4) sanitation of public buildings and institutions; and (5) authority to adopt rules concerning the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. Repeals laws concerning: (1) safety guidelines for children during bad weather conditions; (2) automated external defibrillator rules in health clubs; (3) requiring the state health commissioner (commissioner) to comment on certain rules; (4) fees for serological tests; (5) the administrative unit for special institutions; (6) protection and regulation of department property; and (7) the registry of blind persons. Removes intemperance as a reason to remove a local health officer. Specifies that the department may request the office of administrative law proceedings to designate a person to administer a proceeding. Requires the department to provide facilities and disseminate information to the public concerning oral public health. Allows the department to have a designee to maintain a 24 hour poisons answering service. Adds information on prenatal care to the department's telephone information service concerning children with long term health care needs. Changes the reference from "illegal drug use" to "substance abuse disorder" for purposes of partnership and joint ventures with the department. Requires the department to employ a licensed physician as the chief medical officer. Allows the chief medical officer to perform the functions of the commissioner when the commissioner is not available. Specifies that the state health laboratory (laboratory) must be used to support public health. Changes the title of the person who manages the laboratory. Removes certain requirements concerning the appointment of the laboratory director and chemist. Removes a requirement that a director must report to the commissioner. Requires holders of a certificate of public advantage to pay for reasonable charges incurred by the department. Provides that home health agencies may enter into cooperative agreements to carry out the following activities for the Hoosier Care Connect program: (1) To form and operate, either directly or indirectly, one or more networks of home health agencies to arrange for the provision of health care services through such networks. (2) To contract, either directly or through such networks, with the office of the secretary of family and social services, or the office's contractors, to provide: (A) services to Medicaid beneficiaries; and (B) health care services in an efficient and cost effective manner on a prepaid, capitation, or other reimbursement basis. (3) To undertake other managed health care activities. Provides that a home health agency may authorize an association, corporation, or other person to undertake or effectuate any of these activities. Requires the secretary of family and social services to oversee and supervise these activities. Changes the requirement that the department "shall" to "may" use information compiled by a public or private entity to the greatest extent possible to develop a chronic disease registry. Allows the department to issue a certificate of free sale to a business that meets certain requirements. Amends the definition of "person" for purposes of the state health improvement plan and grant program. Amends the definition of "deaf or hard of hearing" for purposes of the laws governing language development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Changes the membership on the Indiana board of pharmacy. Removes the requirement that a qualifying pharmacist is responsible for the legal operations of a pharmacy. Amends references to certain pharmacy school accreditation organizations. Specifies responsibilities of pharmacists concerning duties previously responsible by a qualifying pharmacist. Allows a qualified pharmacy technician to administer immunizations delegated by the pharmacist. (Current law allows pharmacy technicians to administer influenza and coronavirus disease immunizations.) Amends requirements for remote pharmacies. Adds an exception to the definition of "wholesale distribution" for prescription drugs. Authorizes an APRN to sign an order or referral for physical therapy. Requires a health insurance plan to provide coverage for diabetes self-management training ordered by an APRN or PA. Provides that a county coroner may not certify the cause of death for certain infants as a sudden unexplained infant death until a comprehensive death investigation is performed. Makes conforming changes.

Defines a "charitable government services organization". Provides that a charitable government services organization and other specified individuals may accept payment by credit card for the purchase of a chance to enter a raffle or water race offered at an allowable activity if the transaction satisfies particular requirements.

Repeals the statute specifying Medicaid eligibility for qualified pregnant women. Increases the Medicaid income eligibility requirements for pregnant women. Removes the Medicaid limitation for pregnant women of medical assistance coverage only for pregnancy related services. Provides that the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant women shall be determined by the office of the secretary of family and social services and must be at least 60 days but not more than 12 months beginning on the last day of the pregnancy.

Consolidates Medicaid telehealth language. Provides that "health care services" does not include certain case management services, care management services, service coordination services, or care coordination services for purposes of telehealth. Adds occupational therapist assistants, school psychologists, specified developmental therapists, peers, clinical fellows, students and graduates of certain professional programs, physical therapist assistants, and certain community mental health center providers to the definition of "practitioner" for purposes of practicing telehealth. Allows behavior health analysts to temporarily perform telehealth during the time when the professional licensing agency is preparing to implement licensure for the profession.

Requires the state department of health to establish guidance and standards for health care providers for screening children in Indiana for lead poisoning from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Requires a health care provider who provides health care services to a child who is less than six years of age to take certain actions concerning a blood lead screening test from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Specifies that a parent or guardian is not required to have their child receive a blood lead screening test.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Brigadier General Felicia Brokaw.