86R2258 JG-D
 
  By: Cortez H.B. No. 342
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the medical
  assistance program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 32.0261, Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 32.0261.  CONTINUOUS ELIGIBILITY.  The executive
  commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section
  1396a(e)(12), as amended, to provide for a period of continuous
  eligibility for a child under 19 years of age who is determined to
  be eligible for medical assistance under this chapter. The rules
  shall provide that the child remains eligible for medical
  assistance, without additional review by the commission and
  regardless of changes in the child's resources or income, until the
  earlier of:
               (1)  the first anniversary of [end of the six-month
  period following] the date on which the child's eligibility was
  determined; or
               (2)  the child's 19th birthday.
         SECTION 2.  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 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.