The bill mandates the secretaries for children and families and health and environment to establish data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance programs. It requires the department of health and environment to submit medical assistance enrollment data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services monthly, starting January 1, 2027, to identify individuals enrolled in multiple states. The bill prohibits state agencies from granting waivers or exemptions for public assistance programs without legislative approval and disallows self-attestation for eligibility determinations. It also requires quarterly redeterminations of eligibility for medical assistance and immediate termination of benefits upon confirmation of an enrollee's death. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to increase the age limit for able-bodied adults without dependents and restricts exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program.

The bill introduces several amendments to the Kansas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food assistance programs, focusing on eligibility requirements and penalties for non-compliance. It stipulates that TANF funds cannot be used for purchases outside Kansas and sets strict income and resource limits for food assistance, aligning them with federal standards. The bill eliminates categorical eligibility for non-cash benefits and restricts food assistance eligibility to citizens and qualified non-citizens. It also mandates drug screening for TANF applicants and recipients, with penalties for non-compliance, and outlines the assignment of support rights to the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families. Furthermore, the bill modifies the recovery of medical assistance paid to individuals, specifying conditions under which recovery can occur and establishing processes for placing and enforcing liens on real property owned by recipients of medical assistance.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 39-709, 75-3701