84R9727 JSL-F
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1321
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to asset exclusions in the determination of eligibility
for financial assistance benefits for certain persons.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 31.0321 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.0321. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF GRANDPARENTS
OF DEPENDENT CHILD. (a) This section applies only to a grandparent
seeking or receiving financial assistance benefits under this
subchapter on behalf of a dependent child.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 31.032, in determining whether
the dependent child of a person to whom this section applies is
eligible for assistance authorized under this chapter, the
department shall exclude from the person's available resources:
(1) $5,000 for the applicant's household; and
(2) the fair market value of the applicant's ownership
interest in a motor vehicle, but not more than $7,000 plus or minus
an amount to be determined annually by rule beginning on October 1,
2016, to reflect changes in the new car component of the Consumer
Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
(c) In addition to the increase authorized by Subsection
(b)(2), the amounts under Subsection (b) to be excluded from the
available resources of a person to whom this section applies may be
increased by rule.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
initial determination or redetermination of eligibility of a person
for financial assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code,
that is made on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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, 2015.