SRC-CTC S.B. 831 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 831 77R2897 KLA-DBy: Moncrief Health & Human Services 3/6/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, federal funds are newly available for states to create a Ticket to Work Buy-In Program that allows disabled individuals to work, but not lose their Medicaid benefits. As proposed, S.B. 831 creates two pilot programs, one rural and one urban, to take advantage of these funds. The Department of Human Services is directed to report the effectiveness of the pilot programs and make recommendations about statewide expansion. 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 32.053, as follows: Sec. 32.053. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BUY-IN PILOT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN RECIPIENTS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission or an agency operating part of the medical assistance program (department) to develop and implement a medical assistance buy-in pilot program (program) in accordance with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. No. 106170) to provide medical assistance to certain persons. (b) Requires the department to determine the sites of the program and operate the program in two specific geographic areas of the state, with one site in an urban area and the other in a rural area. (c) Authorizes the department, in establishing the program, to set certain guidelines or conditions. (d) Requires the department, in establishing the program, to require a person who participates in the program to pay premiums to the extent required by 42 U.S.C. Section 1396o(g)(2). (e) Requires the department, not later than December 1, 2002, to submit a report to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature on the effectiveness of the program and the feasibility of expanding the program statewide. (f) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003. SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Department of Human Services, not later than January 1, 2002, to develop and implement the program under Section 32.053, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.