Pennsylvania HB 90: An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for verification of eligibility.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 73
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 90
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, ARMANINI, HAMM, JAMES, KAUFFMAN AND
PICKETT, JANUARY 14, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, JANUARY 14, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance,
further providing for verification of eligibility.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 441.9 of the act of June 13, 1967
(P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, is amended by
adding subsections to read:
Section 441.9. Verification of Eligibility.--* * *
(d) All applicants and recipients shall, as a condition of
eligibility, cooperate with the department in securing medical
support from the noncustodial parent of any child for whom
medical assistance is sought or provided in all cases in which
support is being sought for the child . The department may not
accept a private agreement between a custodial parent and a
noncustodial parent that the custodial parent will provide
medical support if the agreement results in the child foregoing
medical support which would otherwise be available to the child
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under 23 Pa.C.S. § 4326 (relating to mandatory inclusion of
child medical support). An agreement made in violation of this
subsection shall be considered void as contrary to public
policy. Medical assistance shall be provided to a child without
delay while the department is making a determination of the
noncustodial parent's ability to provide medical support.
(e) The requirements of subsection (d) may not apply if:
(1) The custodial parent is a victim of domestic violence
perpetrated by the noncustodial parent. Domestic violence shall
be verified using State standards developed under 42 U.S.C. §
602(a)(7) (relating to eligible states and state plan) .
(2) The application of subsection (d) endangers the well-
being of a child by interrupting the child's continuity of
medical care.
(3) The pursuit of medical support from the noncustodial
parent harms either the child or the custodial parent's well-
being as documented in accordance with regulations promulgated
by the department.
(f) If the department determines that the noncustodial
parent withheld information required under subsection (d), the
noncustodial parent shall reimburse the department for the cost
of the medical assistance provided to the child. Nothing in this
section shall be construed to make the minor ineligible for
medical assistance.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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