CHAPTER........
AN ACT relating to health care; requiring the department of human resources to take certain
actions to increase the enrollment of and health care services provided to Indian
children in the children’s health insurance program; establishing an advisory
committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Nevada Indian
commission concerning the children’s health insurance program as it relates to
Indian children; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 422 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto
the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.
Sec. 2.
"Children’s health insurance program" means the programestablished pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1397aa to 1397jj, inclusive, to
provide health insurance for uninsured children from low-income
families in this state.
Sec. 3.
The department shall:1. Seek the assistance of and cooperate with Indian tribes, tribal
organizations and organizations that collaborate with Indian tribes to
identify Indian children who may be eligible to enroll in the children’s
health insurance program and facilitate the enrollment of such children
in the children’s health insurance program;
2. Upon determining that an Indian child is eligible for the children’s
health insurance program, immediately take any necessary action to
enroll the child in the children’s health insurance program; and
3. Contract with the Indian Health Service and tribal clinics that
provide health care services to Indians to provide health care services to
Indian children who are enrolled in the children’s health insurance
program.
Sec. 4. NRS 422.001 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5. NRS 422.001 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 6. NRS 422.050 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7.
NRS 422.050 is hereby amended to read as follows:2. The term does not include the children’s health insurance
program.
Sec. 8.
NRS 422.240 is hereby amended to read as follows:Sec. 9. NRS 422.270 is hereby amended to read as follows:
1. Administer all public welfare programs of this state, including:
(a) State supplementary assistance;
(b) Temporary assistance for needy families;
(c) Medicaid;
(d) Food stamp assistance;
(e) Low-income home energy assistance;
(f) The program for child care and development;
(g) The program for the enforcement of child support; [and]
(h)
The children’s health insurance program; and(i)
Other welfare activities and services provided for by the laws of this2. Act as the single state agency of the State of Nevada and its political
subdivisions in the administration of any federal money granted to the
[
activities set forth in subsection 1.
3. Cooperate with the Federal Government in adopting state plans, in all
matters of mutual concern, including adoption of methods of administration
found by the Federal Government to be necessary for the efficient operation
of welfare programs, and in increasing the efficiency of welfare programs
by prompt and judicious use of new federal grants which will assist the
department in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
4. Observe and study the changing nature and extent of welfare needs
and develop through tests and demonstrations effective ways of meeting
those needs and employ or contract for personnel and services supported by
legislative appropriations from the state general fund or money from federal
or other sources.
5. Enter into reciprocal agreements with other states relative to public
assistance, welfare services and institutional care, when deemed necessary
or convenient by the director.
6. Make such agreements with the Federal Government as may be
necessary to carry out the supplemental security income program.
Sec. 10. NRS 422.270 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 11. Chapter 233A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto
the provisions set forth as sections 12 to 17, inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 12.
As used in sections 12 to 17, inclusive, of this act, unless thecontext otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in sections 13
and 14 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
Sec. 13.
"Advisory committee" means the advisory committeeconcerning the children’s health insurance program created pursuant to
section 15 of this act.
Sec. 14.
"Children’s health insurance program" has the meaningascribed to it in section 2 of this act.
Sec. 15.
1. There is hereby created in the commission the advisorycommittee concerning the children’s health insurance program. The
advisory committee consists of:
(a) One member who is the chairman of a tribal council or chief of a
Nevada Indian tribe and is appointed by the governing body of a unit of
the Indian Health Service that is designated to serve the health care
needs of Indians in the eastern portion of this state. The appointed
member may designate a representative to serve in his absence.
(b) One member who is the chairman of a tribal council or chief of a
Nevada Indian tribe and is appointed by the governing body of a unit of
the Indian Health Service that is designated to serve the health care
needs of Indians in the western portion of this state. The appointed
member may designate a representative to serve in his absence.
(c) One member who is appointed by the Inter-Tribal Council of
Nevada, Inc.
(d) One member who is appointed by the governing board of an
organization that is partially funded by the Indian Health Service and
which specifically serves the health care needs of Indians in each county
whose population is more than 100,000, but less than 400,000.
(e) One member who is appointed by the governing board of an
organization that is partially funded by the Indian Health Service and
which specifically serves the health care needs of Indians in each county
whose population is 400,000 or more.
2. Each member serves a term of 2 years. A member may be
reappointed for additional terms of 2 years in the same manner as the
3. A vacancy occurring in the membership of the advisory committee
must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
4. The advisory committee shall meet at least twice annually.
5. At its first meeting and annually thereafter, the advisory committee
shall elect a chairman from among its members.
Sec. 16.
1. Each member of the advisory committee serves withoutcompensation.
2. Each member of the advisory committee who is an employee of the
State of Nevada or a local government must be relieved from his duties
without loss of his regular compensation so that he may prepare for and
attend meetings of the advisory committee and perform any work
necessary to carry out the duties of the advisory committee in the most
timely manner practicable. A state agency or local governmental entity
shall not require an employee who is a member of the advisory committee
to make up the time that he is absent from work or to take annual
vacation or compensatory time for the time that he is absent from work to
carry out his duties as a member of the advisory committee.
Sec. 17.
1. The advisory committee shall:(a) Provide written reports, analysis and advice to the commission on
matters related to the children’s health insurance program, including,
without limitation, matters related to the enrollment of Indian children in
the program, outreach efforts to raise awareness about the program
among Indians and other matters concerning the program which affect
Indians; and
(b) Make written recommendations concerning those matters to the
commission.
2. The commission shall:
(a) Consider the advice and recommendations of the advisory
committee and make any appropriate written recommendations to the
director of the department of human resources as a result of this review;
and
(b) Provide the necessary staff to assist the advisory committee in
performing its duties, including, without limitation, staff to assist in
preparing written reports and analysis pursuant to subsection 1.
1. This section and sections 1 to 4, inclusive, 6, 8, 9 and 11to 17, inclusive, of this act become effective upon passage and approval.
2. Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 of this act expire by limitation on June 30,
1999.
3. Sections 5, 7 and 10 of this act become effective at 12:01 a.m. on
July 1, 1999.
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