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.