Sec. 33.038. RECOVERY OF COSTS. (a) The department is entitled to recover an expenditure for services provided under this chapter from:
(1) a person who does not reimburse the department as required by this chapter; or
(2) a third party with a legal obligation to pay other benefits and who has received prior written notice of the department's interests in the other benefits.
(b) This section creates a separate and distinct cause of action, and the department may request the attorney general to bring suit in the appropriate court of Travis County on behalf of the department.
(c) In a judgment in favor of the department, the court may award attorney fees, court costs, and interest accruing from the date on which the department provides the service to the date on which the department is reimbursed.
(d) The executive commissioner by rule shall provide criteria for actions taken under this section.
Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0109, eff. April 2, 2015.
For expiration of this subchapter, see Section 33.056.
Last modified: September 28, 2016