78R1097 KKA-D

By:  Naishtat                                                     H.B. No. 972



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the computation of income for certain recipients of 
financial assistance.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, 
is amended by adding Section 31.0038 to read as follows:
	Sec. 31.0038.  TEMPORARY EXCLUSION OF NEW SPOUSE'S INCOME.  
Income earned by an individual who marries an individual receiving 
financial assistance at the time of the marriage may not be 
considered by the department during the six-month period following 
the date of the marriage for purposes of determining:
		(1)  the amount of financial assistance granted to an 
individual under this chapter for the support of dependent 
children; or
		(2)  whether the family meets household income and 
resource requirements for financial assistance under this chapter.
	SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act 
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a 
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, 
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or 
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the 
waiver or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.