HCS SCS SB 236 -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

SPONSOR:  Sims (Ladd Baker)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Social
Services, Medicaid and the Elderly by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute makes revisions to several public assistance
programs.

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

Educational programs beyond secondary education are allowed to
qualify as a work activity for up to 60 months for purposes of
eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families.  The
Department of Social Services is required to make a report to
certain committees of the General Assembly on the temporary
assistance for needy families program.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS

The substitute establishes eligibility requirements for needy
persons to receive medical assistance, as derived from the
federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of
1999 (TWWIIA).  A person who is employed may receive medical
assistance when he or she (1) meets the definition of the term
"disabled" under the Supplemental Security Income Program or
meets the definition of "employed individual with a medically
improved disability" under TWWIIA; (2) meets the asset limits
specified in the substitute; and (3) has an annual income of
250% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.  Individuals
with incomes greater than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines
will pay a premium for participation.  A person otherwise
eligible for medical assistance under the substitute will not
lose eligibility if he or she maintains an independent living
development account.  If an eligible individual's employer
offers employer-sponsored health insurance and the Department of
Social Services determines that it is more cost-effective than
medical assistance, the individual will participate in the
employer-sponsored insurance.  The department will pay the
individual's portion of the premiums, co-payments, and other
associated costs.  If the department elects to pay the
employer-sponsored insurance, medical assistance will be
provided to an eligible person as a secondary or supplemental
policy.  The department will submit appropriate documentation to
the federal government for approval and will apply for all
grants available to offset the costs associated with the
substitute's provisions.

ELIGIBILITY LIMITS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

The substitute revises the eligibility requirements for medical
assistance benefits.  It allows the department to use
less-restrictive income methodologies to raise the eligibility
limit for certain individuals to 100% of the federal poverty
level.

TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE GRANTS

A one-time transition grant of up to $1,500 for
institutionalized persons who want to move back into the
community will be administered by the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation in consultation with the Department of Social
Services.  The 2 agencies will also cooperate to seek federal
and private grant moneys for this purpose; the moneys will not
limit the appropriation of state moneys for the grant.  The
substitute also requires representatives of disability-related
community organizations to have access to residents of
facilities to inform them of community options, to assess
interest in community placement and to facilitate transitions to
community placements.

ADOPTION SUBSIDIES

Adult first cousins of a child are added to the list of
individuals eligible to apply for an adoption subsidy.

GRANDPARENTS AS FOSTER PARENTS PROGRAM

Eligible grandparents are required to have an annual household
income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level.  The
division is required to conduct an annual review of the
eligibility of grandparents who participate in the program.
Subject to appropriations, the program is required to:

(1)  Provide reimbursement up to 75% of the current foster care
payment schedule to eligible grandparents;

(2)  Establish program requirements;

(3)  Provide continuing counseling for the child and grandparent;

(4)  Provide Medicaid services to the child; and

(5)  Establish criteria for a reduction in cash benefits
received by any grandparent providing care for 3 or more
grandchildren.  Subject to appropriations, the program may
provide ancillary services and support services, which include
child care.  Eligibility for child care services will be based
on the same eligibility criteria used for other child care
benefits provided by the division.  The substitute does not
create an entitlement for participants in the program.

This section contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Estimated Effect to General Revenue Fund of a
savings of $2,417,009 to $5,084,472 in FY 2002, a cost of
$325,554 to a savings of $2,341,918 in FY 2003, and a cost of
$198,310 to a savings of $2,469,153 in FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill adds adult first
cousins to the list of relatives eligible to adopt children who
are wards of the court and apply for subsidies.  It would help
clear circuit court dockets and is critical for courts around
the state.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Sims.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:47 am