SRC-CTC S.B. 376 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 376
77R1729 CLG-DBy: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
2/13/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the application and eligibility process for children's Medicaid
allows agencies operating part of the medical assistance program to
consider the assets and resources of a person or the person's parent or
caretaker when determining the person's eligibility for medical assistance.
As proposed, S.B. 376 eliminates the assets test in order to streamline the
application and eligibility process for children's 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 Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
32.02415, as follows: 

Sec. 32.02415.  EXCLUSION OF ASSETS AND RESOURCES.  Prohibits the Health
and Human Services Commission or an agency operating part of the medical
assistance program from considering the assets and resources of a person
younger than 19 years of age, or the assets and resources of the person's
parent or other caretaker in determining the person's eligibility for
medical assistance, to the extent allowed by federal law.  

SECTION 2.  Requires a state agency to request a waiver or authorization
(waiver) from a federal agency if the state agency deems the waiver
necessary for implementation of any provision of this Act. Authorizes a
delay in implementing that provision until the waiver is granted. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.