(a)
(1) By May 1 of each year, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall identify school districts that are underperforming in the area of direct-service Medicaid billing.
(2) The division shall direct identified school districts to increase direct-service Medicaid billing by district staff or enter into an agreement with an education service cooperative or other public or private entity for the provision of direct-service Medicaid billing services.
(b) The school district for which billing services are rendered shall pay the education service cooperative providing the billing services an amount necessary to compensate the education service cooperative for costs associated with providing the services.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict qualified public or private providers from developing, maintaining, or expanding service relationships with school districts.