By:  Zaffirini                                          S.B. No. 51
                                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,
 1-6     is 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), as amended.
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
1-25     medical assistance to independent foster care adolescents as
 2-1     required by Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code, as added by this
 2-2     Act.
 2-3           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.