84R6020 ADM-D
By: West S.B. No. 1524
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain foster care adolescents and
former foster care adolescents for benefits under the Medicaid
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 32.0247, Human Resources Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read as follows:
(g) The department shall ensure that an independent foster
care adolescent who is otherwise eligible is automatically enrolled
in an appropriate medical assistance program, including a waiver
program established under Section 1915(c) of the federal Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(c)), once the adolescent is
no longer eligible for the program under this section.
(h) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section
and any other law and to the extent permitted under federal law, the
department shall provide medical assistance to:
(1) an adolescent in foster care in this state who did
not reside in this state on the date of the adolescent's 18th
birthday but who is otherwise eligible for assistance under this
section; and
(2) a person who was formerly in foster care under the
supervision of the Department of Family and Protective Services
through an agreement under the Interstate Compact on the Placement
of Children under Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Family Code, until the
person's 26th birthday.
SECTION 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.