SRC-ARR S.B. 64 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 64
76R1328 CLG-FBy: Nelson
Health Services
3/7/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas requires the Texas Department of Human Services to begin
using uniform resource policies in determining eligibility for Aid to
Families with Dependent Children and food stamp programs. Uniform resource
guidelines would streamline eligibility policies for better understanding
and quality control in eligibility determination. S.B. 64 prohibits the
Texas Department of Human Services from providing such financial assistance
for a child born to a recipient at least 10 months after the recipient
began receiving the assistance, and establishes the child care, medical
assistance, and other support services still available to additional
dependent children. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 64 regulates Temporary Assistance for  Needy Families and
Medicaid benefits for additional children born to TANF recipients. 

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 31A, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
31.008, as follows: 

Sec. 31.0038. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ADDITIONAL DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
Prohibits the Texas Department of Human Services (department) from
providing financial assistance for the support of a child born to a
recipient of financial assistance. Provides that Subsection (a) does not
apply to a child born to a recipient who reapplies for assistance after not
receiving the assistance for 12 consecutive months. Requires the department
to deduct the earned income disregards allowable under federal law and
increase the amount for the earned  income disregard for an employed
recipient, if the adult recipient of  financial assistance becomes a parent
of another child. Requires the state to provide child care and medical
assistance to a child prohibited from receiving financial assistance. 

SECTION 2. Provides that if a waiver by the federal government is needed to
implement Section 31.0038, Human Resource Code, the Texas Department of
Human Services shall request the waiver and may delay implementing the
provision, until the waiver  is obtained. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. 
           Makes application of this Act prospective to July 1, 2000.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.