81R5144 KFF-D
By: Eiland H.B. No. 676
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility for the child health plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 62.101(b), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The commission shall establish income eligibility
levels consistent with Title XXI, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
Section 1397aa et seq.), as amended, and any other applicable law or
regulations, and subject to the availability of appropriated money,
so that a child who is younger than 19 years of age and whose net
family income is at or below 300 [200] percent of the federal
poverty level is eligible for health benefits coverage under the
program. In addition, the commission may establish eligibility
standards regarding the amount and types of allowable assets for a
family whose net family income is above 250 [150] percent of the
federal poverty level.
SECTION 2. Section 62.102(b), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) During the sixth month following the date of initial
enrollment or reenrollment of an individual whose net family income
exceeds 285 [185] percent of the federal poverty level, the
commission shall:
(1) review the individual's net family income and may
use electronic technology if available and appropriate; and
(2) continue to provide coverage if the individual's
net family income does not exceed the income eligibility limits
prescribed by this chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 62.101(b), Health and Safety Code, as
amended by this Act, applies to a determination of eligibility of a
person for coverage under the child health plan under Chapter 62,
Health and Safety Code, made on or after the effective date of this
Act, regardless of the date the person applied for that coverage.
SECTION 4. Section 62.102(b), Health and Safety Code, as
amended by this Act, applies to an enrollee under the child health
plan under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code, beginning on the
effective date of this Act, regardless of the date the enrollment
period began.
SECTION 5. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.