79R2244 KLA-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.B. No. 288



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid 
recipients who are residents of long-term care facilities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 32.024(w), Human Resources Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(w)  The department shall set a personal needs allowance of 
not less than $60 [$45] a month for a resident of a convalescent or 
nursing home or related institution licensed under Chapter 242, 
Health and Safety Code, personal care facility, ICF-MR facility, or 
other similar long-term care facility who receives medical 
assistance.  The department may send the personal needs allowance 
directly to a resident who receives Supplemental Security Income 
(SSI) (42 U.S.C. Section 1381 et seq.). This subsection does not 
apply to a resident who is participating in a medical assistance 
waiver program administered by the department.
	SECTION 2.  Section 32.024(w), Human Resources Code, as 
amended by this Act, applies to a personal needs allowance paid on 
or after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.