SRC-CTC S.B. 375 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 375 77R499 CLG-DBy: Zaffirini Health & Human Services 2/13/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the application and eligibility process for children's Medicaid requires a face-to-face interview and an assets test. As proposed, S.B. 375 eliminates these requirements to streamline the process for children to apply for medical assistance. 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 Section 32.025, Human Resources Code, to require the Health and Human Services Commission or an agency operating part of the medical assistance program (department) to adopt application forms and procedures for medical assistance requests provided to a person younger than 19 years of age (child) that are similar to the application forms and procedures adopted under Section 62.103 (Application Form and Procedures), Health and Safety Code, as allowed by federal law and provided for by this section. Requires the department to permit an application requesting medical assistance for a child be made by mail. SECTION 2. Amends Section 32.026, Human Resources Code, to require the department, while adopting rules under this section, to ensure that documentation and verification procedures used in determining and certifying a child's eligibility and need for medical assistance be similar to procedures used to determine a child's eligibility for coverage under Chapter 62 (Child Health Plan for Certain Low-Income Children), Health and Safety Code, as permitted by federal law. Requires the department to permit a recertification of a child's eligibility and need for medical assistance be done by telephone or mail. SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, to add Section 32.02415, as follows: Sec. 32.02415. EXCLUSION OF ASSETS AND RESOURCES. Prohibits the department, to the extent allowed by federal law, from considering the assets or resources of a child or the child's parents or caretakers for the purpose of determining the child's eligibility for medical assistance. SECTION 4. Requires a state agency, if it is determined by the state agency that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for the implementation of any provision of this Act, to request the waiver or authorization and authorizes a delay in the implementation of that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2001.