Pennsylvania HB 1156: 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. 1283
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1156
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HAMM, PICKETT, STENDER, SCIALABBA, KAUFFMAN,
JAMES, CUTLER, ZIMMERMAN, GROVE, FLICK, BARTON, GLEIM,
ARMANINI AND FRITZ, APRIL 7, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, APRIL 7, 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) The following apply regarding gambling winnings:
(1) The department shall enter into a data matching
agreement with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to identify
individuals with gambling winnings of three thousand dollars
($3,000) or more.
(2) On at least a monthly basis, the department shall review
the information under paragraph (1) and close the case for
individuals who are ineligible for medical assistance based upon
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verification of the winnings specified under paragraph (1).
(3) An individual who has failed to disclose the winnings
specified under paragraph (1) and has been identified through
the database match shall be deemed to have presumptively
committed an intentional violation of the medical assistance
program.
(e) On at least a monthly basis, the department shall
receive and review information from the Department of Health
concerning individuals enrolled in medical assistance that
indicates a change in circumstances that may affect eligibility
for medical assistance, including death records.
(f) On at least a quarterly basis, the department shall
receive and review information from the Department of Labor and
Industry concerning individuals enrolled in medical assistance
that indicates a change in circumstances that may affect
eligibility for medical assistance, including changes in
employment or wages.
(g) On at least a monthly basis, the department shall review
information concerning individuals enrolled in medical
assistance that indicates a change in circumstances that may
affect eligibility for medical assistance, including potential
changes in residency as identified by out-of-State electronic
benefit transfer (EBT) transactions.
(h) On at least a monthly basis, the department shall
receive and review information from the Department of
Corrections concerning individuals enrolled in medical
assistance that indicates a change in circumstances that may
affect eligibility for medical assistance.
(i) On at least a quarterly basis, the department shall
receive and review information from the Department of Revenue
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concerning individuals enrolled in medical assistance that
indicates a change in circumstances that may affect eligibility
for food stamps, including potential changes in income, wages or
residency as identified by tax records.
(j) The department shall not accept eligibility
determinations for medical assistance from a health insurance
exchange established in this Commonwealth u nder 42 U.S.C. §
18041(c) (relating to state flexibility in operation and
enforcement of Exchanges and related requirements) . The
department may accept assessments from the exchange but shall
verify eligibility and make eligibility determinations.
(k) If the department receives information concerning an
individual enrolled in medical assistance that indicates a
change in circumstances that may affect eligibility for medical
assistance, the department shall review the individual's case.
(l) The department may execute a memorandum of understanding
with any other State department, agency or division for
information required to be shared between entities specified in
this section.
(m) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the department
from contracting with one or more independent vendors to provide
additional data or information that may indicate a change in
circumstances that may affect eligibility for medical
assistance.
(n) Unless required under Federal law, the department may
not:
(1) Designate itself as a qualified health entity for the
purpose of making presumptive eligibility determinations or for
any purpose not expressly authorized by State law.
(2) Accept self-attestation of income, residency, age,
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household composition, caretaker or relative status or receipt
of other coverage without verification prior to enrollment.
(3) Request authority to waive or decline to periodically
check any available income-related data sources to verify
eligibi