BILL ANALYSIS



HUMAN SERVICES
C.S.H.B. 942
By: Hilderbran
4-9-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND

Based on the Interim Report to the 75th Texas Legislature, Committee on
Human Services,  H.B. 1863 directed the Department of Human Services to
begin using uniform resource policies in determining eligibility for the
AFDC and food stamp programs.  Uniform resource guidelines would
streamline eligibility policies for better understanding and quality
control in eligibility determination. 

PURPOSE

This bill restricts the Department of Human Services from providing
financial assistance for a child born to a recipient of financial
assistance for at least 10 months following the date of initial
assistance.  This does not apply to a child born to a recipient who
reapplies and has not received assistance for the prior 12 consecutive
months. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rule making authority to
a state officer, department, agency or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.Amends Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, by adding Sec. 31.0036,
Financial Assistance for Additional Dependent Children. 

(a)The Department of Human Services is restricted in providing financial
assistance for the support of a child until 10 months after the date on
which the recipient initially received assistance if the paternity of the
dependent child has not been established for the purpose of enforcing
child support and if the recipient already has two or more children.  

(b)Section (a) does not apply to a child born to a recipient who, after
not receiving assistance for 12 consecutive months, reapplies for
assistance. 

(c)If a recipient of financial assistance has another child while
receiving assistance, DHS is directed to deduct the earned income
disregards allowable under federal law and increase the amount of the
earned income disregard for an employed recipient by.   

(d)The state must continue to provide child care, support services and
medical assistance under the Medicaid program for the additional child. 

SECTION 2.Allows DHS to postpone implementation of this act if it is
determined that a federal waiver is necessary. 

SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1997.  Applies to a child born on
or after July 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4.Emergency Clause.
 
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

Section 1.Section 31.0036(a), Human Resource Code, limits the instances in
which the department may withhold financial assistance for the support of
a child to ones where the paternity of the dependent child has not been
established and where the recipient already has two or more children.