Bill Text: TX HB2970 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a consolidated eligibility screening process for benefits under certain assistance programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-12 - Referred to Human Services [HB2970 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB2970-Introduced.html

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86R14211 LED-D
By: Martinez Fischer H.B. No. 2970

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a consolidated eligibility screening process for
benefits under certain assistance programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.024183 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.024183. CONSOLIDATED SCREENING FOR ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS. (a) The executive commissioner shall ensure that
commission employees who conduct eligibility screenings for
assistance programs use a consolidated eligibility screening
procedure for an individual who personally appears at a commission
office to apply for benefits on behalf of the individual or the
individual's child. The consolidated screening must allow for an
eligibility screening for each of the following programs:
(1) the child health plan program;
(2) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31,
Human Resources Code;
(3) Medicaid; and
(4) the supplemental nutrition assistance program
under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code.
(b) The procedure must ensure that an individual who is
identified through the screening as eligible for an assistance
program is assisted in applying for and enrolling in the program for
which the individual or the individual's child is eligible.
SECTION 2. Section 62.104(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The executive commissioner shall develop eligibility
screening and enrollment procedures for children that comply with
the requirements of 42 U.S.C. Section 1397bb, as amended, Section
531.024183, Government Code, and any other applicable law or
regulations. The procedures shall ensure that Medicaid-eligible
children are identified and referred to the Medicaid program.
SECTION 3. 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, 2019.