SRC-CTC C.S.S.B. 51 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 51 77R5596 CLG-DBy: Zaffirini Health & Human Services 4/8/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, youths aged 18 to 21 often lose their Medicaid coverage when they age out of foster care and have a difficult time obtaining medication and medical services. The federal Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 gives states new flexibility, funding, and program opportunities to provide assistance to this age group who are making the transition from foster care to independent living. C.S.S.B. 51 directs the Health and Human Services Commission, or an agency operating part of the medical assistance program, to extend Medicaid to certain youths aged 18 to 21. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 32.0247, as follows: Sec. 32.0247. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS MAKING TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. Defines "independent foster care adolescent." Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (the department), or any agency operating part of the medical assistance program, as appropriate, to provide medical assistance to certain independent foster care adolescents. Set forth criteria for independent foster care adolescents to be assisted by the department. Prohibits the department from considering a person's income, assets or resources in determining a person's eligibility for medical assistance. SECTION 2. Requires the department, as soon as possible after the effective date of this act, to submit an amendment to the state's Medicaid plan to comply with the addition of Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from the original by redefining "independent foster care adolescent."