BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 270

By: Thompson, Senfronia

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Residents of long-term care facilities who receive Medicaid are allowed to keep a certain amount of their social security income for their own personal needs. This is known as a personal needs allowance and the amount is set by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, subject to a statutory minimum. Concerns have been raised that the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for these residents does not adequately account for the increase in the cost of living and goods since the allowance was last increased over a decade ago. H.B. 270 seeks to address these concerns by providing for an increase in the minimum personal needs allowance.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 270 amends the Human Resources Code to increase the minimum amount of the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities from $60 to $75.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.