88R13768 SCP-D
By: AnchÃa H.B. No. 4658
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to procedures for establishing and recertifying a person's
eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 33.015, Human Resources
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 33.015. INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT AND RECERTIFICATION OF
ELIGIBILITY BY TELEPHONE [FOR CERTAIN PERSONS].
SECTION 2. Sections 33.015(a) and (d), Human Resources
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) In administering the supplemental nutrition assistance
program, the commission shall, except as provided by [Subsection
(c) and] Section 33.019, allow a person to comply with initial
eligibility requirements, including any initial interview, and
with subsequent periodic eligibility recertification requirements
by telephone instead of through a personal appearance at commission
offices [if:
[(1) the person and each member of the person's
household:
[(A) have no earned income; and
[(B) are elderly or persons with disabilities; or
[(2) the person is subject to a hardship, as
determined by commission rule].
(d) Subsection (a) does not prevent a [A] person from
electing [described by Subsection (a) may elect] to personally
appear at commission offices to establish initial eligibility or to
comply with periodic eligibility recertification requirements.
SECTION 3. Sections 33.015(b), (c), and (e), Human
Resources Code, are repealed.
SECTION 4. Section 33.015, Human Resources Code, as amended
by this Act, applies only to an initial determination or
recertification of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition
assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, that is
made on or after the effective date of this Act. A determination or
recertification made before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the determination or
recertification was made, and the former law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
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, 2023.