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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain foster care adolescents and |
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former foster care adolescents for benefits under the Medicaid |
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program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read as follows: |
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(g) The department shall ensure that an independent foster |
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care adolescent who is otherwise eligible is automatically enrolled |
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in an appropriate medical assistance program, including a waiver |
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program established under Section 1915(c) of the federal Social |
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Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)), once the adolescent is |
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no longer eligible for the program under this section. |
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(h) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section |
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and any other law and to the extent permitted under federal law, the |
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department shall provide medical assistance to: |
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(1) an adolescent in foster care in this state who did |
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not reside in this state on the date of the adolescent's 18th |
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birthday but who is otherwise eligible for assistance under this |
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section; and |
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(2) a person who was formerly in foster care under the |
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supervision of the Department of Family and Protective Services |
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through an agreement under the Interstate Compact on the Placement |
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of Children under Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Family Code, until the |
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person's 26th birthday. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |