BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 614

By: Naishtat

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, enacted legislation to provide the opportunity for state court judicial review of adverse agency decisions regarding denial, termination, suspension or reduction in food stamp and Medicaid eligibility determinations. However, no such opportunity is provided for individuals applying for or receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.

H.B. 614 provides that a decision of a local administrative unit relating to financial assistance under the TANF program that is appealed to the Health and Human Services Commission by an applicant for or recipient of assistance is subject to certain conditions that determine when the applicant or recipient has exhausted all administrative remedies and is entitled to judicial review.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 614 amends Sections 531.019(a) and (e),  Government Code, as added by Chapter 1161 (H.B. 75), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, to provide that a decision of a local administrative unit relating to financial assistance under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program that is appealed to the Health and Human Services Commission by an applicant for or recipient of assistance is subject to certain conditions that determine when the applicant or recipient has exhausted all administrative remedies and is entitled to judicial review. The bill clarifies that benefits provided under the TANF program are included within the meaning of "public assistance benefits."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.