85R3041 JG-D     By: Cortez H.B. No. 1408       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the period of continuous eligibility for the medical   assistance program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 32.0261, Human Resources Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 32.0261.  CONTINUOUS ELIGIBILITY.  The executive   commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section   1396a(e)(12), as amended, to provide for a period of continuous   eligibility for a child under 19 years of age who is determined to   be eligible for medical assistance under this chapter. The rules   shall provide that the child remains eligible for medical   assistance, without additional review by the commission and   regardless of changes in the child's resources or income, until the   earlier of:                (1)  the first anniversary of [end of the six-month   period following] the date on which the child's eligibility was   determined; or                (2)  the child's 19th birthday.          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, 2017.