(a) The department may recover the cost of services provided under this chapter from a person who does not pay or reimburse the department as required by Section 35.007 or from any third party who has a legal obligation to pay other benefits.
(b) This section creates a separate 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's 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.