Bill > HB749

This bill makes several significant changes to Pennsylvania's human services code, focusing on various aspects of public assistance programs. The bill introduces a new requirement for the Department of Human Services to analyze and report on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit distribution schedules every five years, including studying payment issuance days and consulting with an advisory committee. It also mandates quarterly income and employment record checks for medical assistance and SNAP benefit recipients and monthly death certificate checks. The bill modifies copayment rules for subsidized child care, adjusting income thresholds and copayment percentages, and ensuring continued eligibility for certain families for twelve months after initial determination. Additionally, the bill requires a report on transitioning to chip-enabled access cards for SNAP benefits, mandates an annual report on various assistance program details, and calls for a study on nonemergency medical transportation services. The legislation also removes certain regulatory restrictions on behavioral health service payments and introduces more comprehensive reporting requirements for SNAP benefits, including detailed information about recipient numbers, benefit distributions, and account balances. These changes aim to improve program administration, increase transparency, and potentially enhance service delivery for residents receiving public assistance.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=749