Committee adopts House amendment shifting Medicaid duty from 'shall' to 'may' and allowing grant applications

Senator Hammer presented an amendment the House added that changes a previously mandatory requirement into a discretionary one for a Medicaid‑related provision and references an insurance‑industry handbook used for Medicare and Medicaid services. The change also permits the Medicaid program to apply for grants to help fund the activity if grant money is available; presenters said that request originated with Medicaid staff.

Senator Hammer said the amendment was requested by Medicaid and that replacing "shall" with "may" should remove a fiscal impact: "It was a request of Medicaid that we did this, and that's what it's all about, sir." Sam Durbin was named during discussion and Senator Hammer noted the change came out of the mental‑health caucus and stakeholder work. Senator Hammer asked for a favorable vote, saying the amendment "moves the ball down the road a little bit."

Senator Irvin moved to concur and Senator Boyd seconded. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote. Committee members did not record a roll call; the chair announced the ayes had it.