88R3393 BDP-D
 
  By: Leach H.B. No. 1743
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to allowing certain inmates to apply for supplemental
  nutrition assistance program benefits to be provided at the time of
  discharge or release.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 501.0167 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.0167.  NOTICE TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
  COMMISSION REGARDING SNAP BENEFITS. (a) At least 45 days but not
  more than 60 days before an inmate is discharged or released on
  parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, the
  department shall notify the Health and Human Services Commission of
  the inmate's upcoming discharge or release for purposes of applying
  for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits as provided
  by Section 33.0181, Human Resources Code.
         (b)  The notice provided under Subsection (a) must include
  the date that the inmate will be discharged or released.
         (c)  The department shall coordinate with the Health and
  Human Services Commission to determine:
               (1)  the method to be used by the department to provide
  the notice required under Subsection (a); and
               (2)  the time, place, and manner for providing
  application assistance and conducting the eligibility interview
  described by Section 33.0181(b)(2), Human Resources Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 33.015(b), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  For purposes of rules under Subsection (a)(2), a
  hardship includes a situation in which a person is prevented from
  personally appearing at commission offices because the person is:
               (1)  subject to a work or training schedule;
               (2)  subject to transportation difficulties;
               (3)  subject to other difficulties arising from the
  person's residency in a rural area;
               (4)  subject to prolonged severe weather;
               (5)  ill; [or]
               (6)  needed to care for a member of the person's
  household; or
               (7)  confined as an inmate in a facility operated by or
  under contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 33.0181 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.0181.  APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN INMATES
  NEARING ELIGIBILITY FOR DISCHARGE OR RELEASE; TIMING OF BENEFITS.
  (a) Subject to Section 33.018, the commission, in cooperation with
  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, shall establish a
  procedure to accept and process supplemental nutrition assistance
  program applications submitted by inmates who are confined in a
  facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of
  Criminal Justice for purposes of providing program benefits to the
  inmates at the time of discharge or release.
         (b)  The commission shall as soon as practicable but not
  later than the 30th day after the date the commission receives:
               (1)  a notice from the Texas Department of Criminal
  Justice under Section 501.0167, Government Code, of the upcoming
  discharge or release of an inmate:
                     (A)  assist the inmate in filling out forms and
  completing the application process; and
                     (B)  coordinate with the Texas Department of
  Criminal Justice to, in accordance with Section 33.015, conduct the
  initial interview by telephone instead of through a personal
  appearance; and
               (2)  a completed application for supplemental
  nutrition assistance program benefits for an inmate, make a
  determination regarding the inmate's eligibility for benefits at
  the time of discharge or release.
         (c)  If the commission determines that an inmate is eligible
  for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, the
  commission shall begin providing benefits to the inmate at the time
  of discharge or release.
         (d)  The commission may contract with community partners to
  provide the application assistance required by this section.
         (e)  The executive commissioner, in consultation with the
  Texas Department of Criminal Justice, shall adopt rules to
  implement this section.
         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, 2023.