1. (a) Chapter 783 does not apply to the solicitation of applicants for a grant under this subchapter.
2. (b) To the extent practicable, the office shall award a grant under this subchapter not later than the 180th day after the date the office receives the recipient's grant application.
3. (c) A Medicaid provider's receipt of a grant under this subchapter does not affect any legal or contractual duty of the provider to comply with any applicable Medicaid requirements.
4. (d) The office shall administer the grant programs established under this subchapter.

5. (e) The office may award a grant under this subchapter only in accordance with the terms of a contract between the office and the grant recipient. The contract must include provisions under which the office is granted sufficient control to ensure that:

   1. (1) the grant funds are spent in a manner that is consistent with the public purpose of providing adequate access to quality health care; and
   2. (2) both this state and the grant recipient are benefited by the award of the grant.
6. (f) The office shall develop an application process and eligibility and selection criteria for persons applying for a grant under this subchapter.

7. (g) A grant recipient may not use the proceeds of a grant awarded under this subchapter to:

   1. (1) reimburse an expense or pay a cost that another source, including Medicaid, is obligated to reimburse or pay by law or under a contract; or
   2. (2) supplant, or be used as a substitute for, money awarded to the recipient from a non-Medicaid federal funding source, including a federal grant.

Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 707 (H.B. 18), Sec. 4, eff. June 20, 2025.