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," in public assistance,
4providing for placement screening.

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

7Section 1. The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known
8as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding a section to
9read:

10Section 442.4. Placement screenings.--(a) The county agency 
11shall screen a child who is placed outside the child's home in a 
12foster care or adoption assistance program and who is not 
13eligible to receive federally funded Aid to Families with 
14Dependent Children - Foster Care (AFDC-FC) benefits for Federal 
15Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility at the time of 
16placement for potential eligibility for the Federal SSI program 
17utilizing the guidelines established under the Social Security 
18Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.). If the child is
 

1determined to be eligible through the screening process, the 
2county agency shall submit an application for benefits to the 
3Social Security Administration on behalf of the child within 
4thirty days of completion of the screening.

5(b) (1) Prior to the termination of jurisdiction over a
6dependent child who is 18 years of age or older, the county
7agency shall screen the child for the Federal SSI program
8utilizing the guidelines established under the Social Security
9Act.

10(2) The screening shall use the Title XVI of the Social
11Security Act criteria for eligibility and shall occur when the
12child is at least 17 years of age and not older than 17 years
13and six months of age. The county agency shall submit an
14application to the Social Security Administration on behalf of a
15child who is screened as being likely to be eligible for Federal
16SSI benefits 90 days prior to the child reaching 18 years of
17age.

18Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.