Committee hears bill to codify DHS prepayment review for high‑risk programs

Chair Schumacher introduced House File 2491, saying it would codify a prepayment review process for programs designated high‑risk by the Department of Human Services. Under the bill, the commissioner would be required to begin a prepayment review within 15 days of designation, provide providers at least 10 days’ notice of review, allow the review to run up to 24 months, notify committee chairs and ranking members, and deliver a post‑review report to the Legislature summarizing any sanctions and recommending program changes or terminations.

A public testifier who identified himself as Nathaniel, an advocate, told the committee he supports the bill and urged legislative action, saying he has seen people lose housing amid alleged program failures and that accountability is overdue. Committee members asked whether the bill would interrupt current prepayment reviews and whether it would expand statutory authority. Chair Schumacher and other members said the intent is to preserve ongoing agency review practices while putting clear statutory timelines and notification requirements into law and that the bill’s scope could be refined during negotiations while it is laid over.

No formal amendments were adopted at the hearing, and the author renewed the motion that HF 2491 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The committee did not take a final vote on the substance of the bill at this session; staff and authors indicated they would continue to work with the agency and the chairs of other committees on technical details.