77R3971 CLG-D By Maxey, Coleman, Naishtat, West, Danburg, H.B. No. 98 et al. Substitute the following for H.B. No. 98: By Longoria C.S.H.B. No. 98 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the provision of Medicaid to certain persons making the 1-3 transition from foster care to independent living. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 32.0247 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 32.0247. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS MAKING 1-8 TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. (a) In this 1-9 section, "independent foster care adolescent" has the meaning 1-10 assigned by 42 U.S.C. Section 1396d(w)(1). 1-11 (b) The department shall provide medical assistance, in 1-12 accordance with department rules, to an independent foster care 1-13 adolescent who: 1-14 (1) is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance; 1-15 and 1-16 (2) is not covered by a health benefits plan offering 1-17 adequate benefits, as determined by the Health and Human Services 1-18 Commission. 1-19 (c) The department may not consider a person's income, 1-20 assets, or resources in determining whether the person is eligible 1-21 for medical assistance under this section. 1-22 SECTION 2. As soon as possible after the effective date of 1-23 this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit an 1-24 amendment to the state's Medicaid plan to include the provision of 2-1 medical assistance to independent foster care adolescents as 2-2 required by Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code, as added by this 2-3 Act. 2-4 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.