1-1     By:  Zaffirini                                          S.B. No. 51
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed November 13, 2000; January 10, 2001,
 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
 1-4     Services; April 9, 2001, reported adversely, with favorable
 1-5     Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 1;
 1-6     April 9, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-7     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 51                    By:  Carona
 1-8                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-9                                   AN ACT
1-10     relating to the provision of Medicaid to certain persons making the
1-11     transition from foster care to independent living.
1-12           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-13           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
1-14     is amended by adding Section 32.0247 to read as follows:
1-15           Sec. 32.0247.  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS MAKING
1-16     TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.  (a)  In this
1-17     section, "independent foster care adolescent" has the meaning
1-18     assigned by 42 U.S.C. Section 1396d(w)(1), as amended.
1-19           (b)  The department shall provide medical assistance, in
1-20     accordance with department rules, to an independent foster care
1-21     adolescent who:
1-22                 (1)  is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance;
1-23     and
1-24                 (2)  is not covered by a health benefits plan offering
1-25     adequate benefits, as determined by the Health and Human Services
1-26     Commission.
1-27           (c)  The department may not consider a person's income,
1-28     assets, or resources in determining whether the person is eligible
1-29     for medical assistance under this section.
1-30           SECTION 2.  As soon as possible after the effective date of
1-31     this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit an
1-32     amendment to the state's Medicaid plan to include the provision of
1-33     medical assistance to independent foster care adolescents as
1-34     required by Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code, as added by this
1-35     Act.
1-36           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-37                                  * * * * *