78R6405 CLG-D

By:  Wohlgemuth                                                   H.B. No. 3344



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to determination of eligibility under the medical 
assistance program.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 32.026, Human Resources Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:
	(d-1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
the department may use information obtained from a third party to 
verify the assets and resources of a child under 19 years of age, 
the child's parents, or the child's other caretaker for purposes of 
determining the child's eligibility and need for medical 
assistance.  Third-party information includes information obtained 
from:
		(1)  a consumer reporting agency, as defined by Section 
20.01, Business & Commerce Code;
		(2)  an appraisal district; or                                         
		(3)  the Texas Department of Transportation's  vehicle 
registration record database.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, 
is amended by adding Section 32.02615 to read as follows:
	Sec. 32.02615.  CONTRACT FOR ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION 
SERVICES.  The department may contract with a third-party 
administrator or other entity to provide eligibility determination 
services under the medical assistance program.
	SECTION 3.  If before implementing 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 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.