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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to eligibility requirements for certain public benefits |
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programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.02416 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.02416. ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS: FORM I-9 |
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REQUIREMENT. (a) In this section, "Form I-9" means the employment |
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eligibility verification form designated or established by the |
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United States attorney general in accordance with 8 U.S.C. Section |
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1324a(b). |
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(b) An applicant for benefits must complete a Form I-9 and |
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provide documentation that establishes the applicant's identity |
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and eligibility to work in the United States as required by that |
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form to be eligible to receive benefits under any of the following |
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benefits programs: |
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(1) the child health plan program under Chapter 62, |
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Health and Safety Code; |
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(2) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, |
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Human Resources Code; |
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(3) the medical assistance program under Chapter 32, |
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Human Resources Code; and |
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(4) the nutritional assistance program under Chapter |
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33, Human Resources Code. |
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(c) For purposes of completing a Form I-9 under this |
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section: |
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(1) an applicant for benefits is considered an |
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"employee"; |
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(2) the commission or other state agency that |
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administers the benefits program is considered an "employer"; and |
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(3) receipt of benefits under a benefits program is |
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considered "employment." |
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(d) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary |
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to implement this section, including rules that further define |
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terms used in Form I-9 and that provide instructions on how to |
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complete the form for purposes of this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 531.02416, Government Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies to an initial determination of eligibility or |
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redetermination of eligibility for benefits under a program subject |
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to that section made on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |