Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair, House Committee on Corrections
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4020 by Howard (Relating to allowing certain inmates to apply for benefits under certain public benefits programs to be provided at the time of discharge or release.), As Introduced
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the unknown impact on caseloads for public benefit programs.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), to assist in the completion of, acceptance, and processing of eligibility applications for public benefit programs for inmates for the purposes of providing benefits upon release. Public benefit programs include Medicaid, the child health plan program, the Healthy Texas Women program, the family planning program, financial assistance, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
According to HHSC, the bill may increase caseloads within the public benefit programs, however the fiscal impact cannot be estimated due to an unknown number of individuals that would be eligible for the programs outlined in the bill. There would also be additional costs associated with updating technology used for eligibility determination. According to the TDCJ, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 696 Department of Criminal Justice