AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
2act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
3welfare laws of the Commonwealth," further providing for
4verification of eligibility.

5The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6hereby enacts as follows:

7Section 1. Section 441.9 of the act of June 13, 1967
8(P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, added July 7,
92005 (P.L.177, No.42), is amended to read:

10Section 441.9. Verification of Eligibility.--(a) Except as
11set forth in subsection (b), income shall be verified prior to
12authorization of medical assistance or during a redetermination
13of a recipient's eligibility unless the verification is pending
14from a third party and the applicant has cooperated in the
15verification attempt in accordance with department regulations.

16(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the department may

1authorize medical assistance for pregnant women, children, the
2elderly or people with disabilities if third-party, automated
3sources of verification are used to verify income within sixty
4days of the date of authorization.

5(c) Except as prohibited by Federal law, it shall be a
6condition of eligibility for medical assistance that an
7applicant or recipient consent to the disclosure of information
8about the age, residence, citizenship, employment, applications
9for employment, income and resources of the applicant or
10recipient which is in the possession of third parties. Consent
11shall be effective to authorize a third party to release
12information requested by the department. Except in a case of
13suspected fraud, the department shall attempt to notify the
14applicant or recipient prior to contacting a third party for
15information about the applicant or recipient.

16(d) All applicants and recipients shall, as a condition of
17eligibility, <-pursue cooperate with the department in securing
18medical support from the noncustodial parent of any child for
19whom medical assistance is sought <-or provided.

20Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.