82R17094 EES-D

By: Walle, Menendez, Naishtat H.B. No. 710

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 710:

By: Hopson C.S.H.B. No. 710

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to verification of identity of applicants for benefits under and prevention of duplicate participation in the financial assistance and supplemental nutrition assistance programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 31.0326 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.0326. VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY AND PREVENTION OF DUPLICATE PARTICIPATION. The Health and Human Services Commission shall use appropriate technology to:

(1) confirm the identity of applicants for benefits under the financial assistance program; and

(2) prevent duplicate participation in the program by a person.

SECTION 2. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 33.0231 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.0231. VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY AND PREVENTION OF DUPLICATE PARTICIPATION. The department shall use appropriate technology to:

(1) confirm the identity of applicants for benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and

(2) prevent duplicate participation in the program by a person.

SECTION 3. Section 31.0325, Human Resources Code, is repealed.

SECTION 4. 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 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.