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

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

  

 

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 264, 950

PRINTER'S NO.  1111

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

254

Session of

2009

  

  

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, MICOZZIE AND MURT, FEBRUARY 4, 2009

  

  

AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 17, 2009   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An

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act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public

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welfare laws of the Commonwealth," providing for veterans.

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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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hereby enacts as follows:

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Section 1.  The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known

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as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding a section to

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read:

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Section 215.  Veterans.--(a)  The department shall make a

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good faith effort to determine whether an applicant for cash, or 

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medical or energy assistance is a veteran. While in the process

<--

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of making its determination, the department shall dispense

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benefits to the applicant, if otherwise eligible.

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(b)  As a condition of eligibility to receive cash, or 

<--

 


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medical or energy assistance, unless there is good cause not to

<--

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do so, an applicant who is a veteran shall be required to

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contact a veteran service officer accredited and recognized by

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the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department

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of Military and Veterans Affairs or the county director of

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veterans affairs in which the applicant resides in order to

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determine the applicant's eligibility for veteran's benefits or

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to file a veteran claims packet. The department shall develop a

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standard form to be used by a veteran service officer to verify

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the applicant's eligibility for veteran benefits.

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(c)  An applicant who is a veteran shall provide proof of

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compliance with this section and the department shall, to the

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greatest extent possible, require the applicant to provide

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information on the final determination of eligibility for

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veteran benefits and the type of benefits the veteran is

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entitled to receive.

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(d)  As used in this section, the following words and phrases

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shall have the following meanings:

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"Assistance" means money, services and payment for medical

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coverage or energy assistance for needy persons who are

<--

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residents of this Commonwealth, are in need of assistance and

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meet all conditions of eligibility.

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"Veteran claims packet" means an application requesting a

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determination or entitlement or evidencing a belief in

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entitlement to a benefit as provided for in 38 CFR (relating to

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pensions, bonuses, and veterans' relief) or 51 Pa.C.S. (relating

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to military affairs).

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Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.

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