87R2448 KKR-D
By: Blanco S.B. No. 521
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Medicaid eligibility of certain persons who are
lawfully present in the United States.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 32.02472 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.02472. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS LAWFULLY
PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES. (a) The commission shall provide
medical assistance in accordance with 8 U.S.C. Section 1612(b) to a
person who:
(1) is a qualified alien, as defined by 8 U.S.C.
Sections 1641(b) and (c);
(2) meets the eligibility requirements of the medical
assistance program;
(3) entered the United States on or after August 22,
1996; and
(4) has resided in the United States for a period of
five years after the date the person entered as a qualified alien.
(b) To the extent allowed by federal law, the commission
shall provide medical assistance for pregnant women to a person who
is pregnant and is lawfully present, or lawfully residing in the
United States as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, including a battered alien under 8 U.S.C. Section
1641(c), regardless of the date the person entered the United
States.
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, 2021.