89R2983 JG-D
By: Lalani H.B. No. 570
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to informing certain housing assistance applicants about
the availability of certain public assistance programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 545, Government Code, as
effective April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Section 545.0059 to
read as follows:
Sec. 545.0059. NOTIFYING CERTAIN HOUSING APPLICANTS ABOUT
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs.
(2) "Housing choice voucher program" means the housing
choice voucher program under Section 8, United States Housing Act
of 1937 (42 U.S.C. Section 1437f).
(3) "Public assistance program" includes:
(A) Medicaid;
(B) the child health plan program;
(C) the financial assistance program under
Chapter 31, Human Resources Code;
(D) the nutritional assistance programs under
Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, including the supplemental
nutrition assistance program under that chapter; and
(E) other programs administered and identified
by the commission.
(b) The commission in collaboration with the department and
public housing authorities shall develop and implement a process
for screening applications for participation in the housing choice
voucher program to identify individuals, including household
members referenced in the application, who may be eligible for
benefits under a public assistance program.
(c) An individual who is identified as potentially eligible
for benefits under a public assistance program must be:
(1) notified of each program for which the individual
may be eligible; and
(2) provided with information on how to apply for and
obtain benefits under each program.
(d) The commission and department shall enter into a
memorandum of understanding to implement this section. The
memorandum must specify the roles and duties of each agency with
respect to carrying out this section.
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, 2025.