SRC-CDH S.B. 775 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 775
By: Nixon
Health & Human Services
3-7-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, individuals seeking eligibility for assistance and services
through a Texas health and human services agency must meet various
criteria for eligibility depending on the program, including documentation
of resources and income.  If a client is unwilling to provide necessary
documentation, the agencies deny eligibility; however, agencies rely on
promulgated rules instead of statute as a basis for denial of these
benefits.  This legislation prohibits an agency from providing assistance
benefits to a person who fails to provide the necessary documentation in
an effort to strengthen the enforcement of eligibility standards.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 775 establishes the eligibility for public assistance
benefits administered by health and human services agencies.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section
531.047, as follows: 

Sec. 531.047.  DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION.
Prohibits a health and human services agency from providing public
assistance benefits to a person who fails to provide to the agency a
document necessary to determine eligibility for the benefits.   

SECTION 2.   Effective date:  September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.