Bill Text: PA HB254 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: In general powers of the Department of Public Welfare, further providing for determining whether applicants are veterans; in public assistance, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care; and providing for Statewide Quality Care Assessment.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 38-17)

Status: (Passed) 2010-07-09 - Act No. 49 [HB254 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB254-Amended.html

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 264 PRINTER'S NO. 950
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 254 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY FAIRCHILD, ADOLPH, BAKER, BARRAR, BEAR, BEYER, BOYD, BRENNAN, CIVERA, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, DENLINGER, EACHUS, EVERETT, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, GRUCELA, HARKINS, HARRIS, HELM, HESS, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MICCARELLI, MILLER, MOUL, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, RAPP, REICHLEY, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SOLOBAY, STERN, VULAKOVICH, WANSACZ, YUDICHAK, ROCK, CAUSER AND MICOZZIE, FEBRUARY 4, 2009
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 11, 2009
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
welfare laws of the Commonwealth," providing for veterans.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known
as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding a section to
read:
Section 215. Veterans.--(a) The department shall make a
good faith effort to determine whether an applicant for cash or
medical assistance is a veteran. While in the process of making
its determination, the department shall dispense benefits to the
applicant, if otherwise eligible.
(b) As a condition of eligibility to receive cash or medical
assistance, unless there is good cause not to do so, an <--
applicant who is a veteran shall be required to contact a
veteran service officer accredited and recognized by the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs or the county director of veterans
affairs in which the applicant resides in order to determine the
applicant's eligibility for veteran's benefits or to file a
veteran claims packet. The department shall develop a standard
form to be used by a veteran service officer to verify the
applicant's eligibility for veteran benefits.
(c) An applicant who is a veteran shall provide proof of
compliance with this section and the department shall, to the
greatest extent possible, require the applicant to provide
information on the final determination of eligibility for
veteran benefits and the type of benefits the veteran is
entitled to receive.
(d) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the following meanings:
"Assistance" means money, services and payment for medical
coverage for needy persons who are residents of this
Commonwealth, are in need of assistance and meet all conditions
of eligibility.
"Veteran claims packet" means an application requesting a
determination or entitlement or evidencing a belief in
entitlement to a benefit as provided for in 38 CFR (relating to
pensions, bonuses, and veterans' relief) or 51 Pa.C.S. (relating
to military affairs).
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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