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 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, MICOZZIE AND MURT, FEBRUARY 4, 2009
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 17, 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 or energy 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 or energy 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 or energy assistance 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.
20090HB0254PN1111 - 2 -