TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Chapter 1. PRESUMPTIVE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts the repeal of §§1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9, and adopts new §§1.1, 1.3, and 1.5 without changes to the proposed text published in the May 23, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 4077).

DHS undertook the repeals and new sections as part of its initiative to review all agency rule chapters and to rewrite them in plain language format to make them easier for the public to navigate and understand. As part of the rewrite, DHS determined to rename Chapter 1 as "Presumptive Medicaid for Pregnant Women Program" to more accurately reflect the content of the chapter.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the repeals and new sections.

Subchapter A. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

40 TAC §§1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9

The repeals are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The repeals affect the Human Resources Code, §§22.001 - 22.038 and §§32.001 - 32.053.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 23, 2003.

TRD-200304451

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 23, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 1. PRESUMPTIVE MEDICAID FOR PREGNANT WOMEN PROGRAM

Subchapter A. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

40 TAC §§1.1, 1.3, 1.5

The new sections are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The new sections affect the Human Resources Code, §§22.001 - 22.038 and §§32.001 - 32.053.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 23, 2003.

TRD-200304450

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 23, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 3. TEXAS WORKS

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts the repeal of §§3.601-3.604 and adopts new §§3.601-3.603, without changes to the proposed text published in the May 23, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 4079).

Justification for new §3.602 is to comply with a clarification issued by the United States (U.S.) Department of Justice concerning alien eligibility for TANF. The clarification states that aliens are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if they entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996, and remained continuously present in the U.S. until becoming qualified aliens. This eligibility applies regardless of whether these individuals entered the U.S. legally or possessed qualified status at the time of entry. A qualified alien is defined as a refugee, asylee, Cuban/Haitian entrant, battered alien, parolee, conditional entrant, legal permanent resident, or alien whose deportation has been withdrawn. In addition, the repeals and new sections were undertaken as part of a DHS project to rewrite agency rules in question- and-answer format to make them easier for contractors and the public to use and understand.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the repeals and new sections.

Subchapter F. CITIZENSHIP

40 TAC §§3.601 - 3.604

The repeals are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 31 and 33, which authorizes DHS to administer financial and nutritional assistance programs.

The repeals implement the Human Resources Code, §§31.001-31.081 and §§33.001-33.027.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 23, 2003.

TRD-200304454

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 23, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Subchapter F. CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) AND FOOD STAMP PROGRAMS

40 TAC §§3.601 - 3.603

The new sections are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapter 31, which authorizes DHS to administer financial assistance programs.

The new sections implement the Human Resources Code, §§31.001-31.081.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 23, 2003.

TRD-200304455

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 23, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


40 TAC §§3.604 - 3.607

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts new §§3.604-3.607, without changes to the proposed text published in the May 23, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 4080).

Justification for new §3.604 is to comply with 8 United States Code 1612(a), which was amended by the 2002 Farm Bill to partially restore Food Stamp Program eligibility to qualified aliens in three different phases. The first phase of this restoration, effective October 1, 2002, restored eligibility to qualified aliens receiving disability benefits regardless of the date they entered the United States (U.S). The second phase, effective April 1, 2003, restored eligibility to applicants possessing qualified alien status for five years. The third phase, effective October 1, 2003, restores eligibility to qualified aliens under the age of 18, regardless of the date of entry into the U.S. Section 3.604 ensures that DHS complies with federal law. In addition, the new sections were undertaken as part of a DHS project to rewrite agency rules in question-and- answer format to make them easier for contractors and the public to use and understand.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the new sections.

The new sections are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 31 and 33, which authorizes DHS to administer financial and nutritional assistance programs.

The new sections implement the Human Resources Code, §§31.001-31.081 and §§33.001-33.027.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 23, 2003.

TRD-200304456

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 23, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 50. §1915(c) CONSOLIDATED WAIVER PROGRAM

40 TAC §50.6

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §50.6, without changes to the proposed text published in the May 23, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 4082).

Justification for the amendment is to comply with House Bill 2148, 76th Texas Legislature, which amended the Government Code, §§531.0218, 531.0219, and 531.02191. The amendment will allow more children to be eligible for Consolidated Waiver Program services and increase uniformity with the Medically Dependent Children Program.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment affects the Human Resources Code, §§22.0001 - 22.038 and §§32.001 - 32.053; and the Government Code, §§531.0218, 531.0219, and 531.02191.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 23, 2003.

TRD-200304444

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: May 23, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734