The bill, S.B. No. 225, aims to enhance the process of determining eligibility and enrolling individuals in Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Program by introducing an express lane option. It amends Section 62.1011 of the Health and Safety Code to allow the commission to verify income unless the applicant's reported household income exceeds the established eligibility level. Additionally, it introduces a new Section 62.1012, which defines "express lane agency" and mandates the commission to utilize information from these agencies to determine a child's eligibility for the Child Health Plan, including automatic enrollment for eligible children.

Furthermore, the bill amends Sections 32.026(e) and (g) of the Human Resources Code to allow for recertification reviews of eligibility to be conducted via telephone or mail, and it expands the sources from which the commission can verify assets and resources for eligibility determination. A new Section 32.026102 is also added, which establishes a similar express lane option for medical assistance eligibility, allowing the commission to use information from express lane agencies for determining eligibility and recertification. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, contingent upon any necessary federal waivers or authorizations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 62.1011, Human Resources Code 32.026 (Health and Safety Code 62, Human Resources Code 32)