THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2589
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO FOSTER YOUTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that many youth entering foster care exhibit chronic health, developmental, and psychiatric disorders.  The legislature also finds that mental health and medical care needs of youth in foster care can differ from youth not in care.  One 2003 study found that eighty per cent of youth in foster care received services for mental health issues during foster care placement.  Another study found that fifty-four per cent of former foster youth had a mental health diagnosis after leaving foster care.  The same study also found that one-third of former foster youth lacked health insurance.

     The legislature further finds that former foster youth without health insurance lack access to crucial medical services, including mental health care, reproductive health services, and prescription drug coverage.  Lack of health insurance may result in numerous visits to the emergency room and inpatient care, the progression of chronic disease, and thousands of dollars of medical debt, all of which can be devastating to former foster youth transitioning to independent lives after foster care.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services to offer and provide former foster youth enrollment in an appropriate medical assistance program until they reach age twenty-six.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346‑   Medical assistance for former foster youth. (a)  The department shall offer and provide medical assistance to former foster youth who:

(1) Are under the age of twenty-four years on July 1, 2012; under the age of twenty-five years on January 1, 2013; and under the age of twenty-six years on January 1, 2014;

(2) Were formerly in the foster care system, under the responsibility of the State on the date of attaining eighteen years of age or an older age, as elected by the State pursuant to section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the Social Security Act;

(3) Were enrolled in the medicaid program while in the foster care system; and

(4) Have a household income of up to three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level for Hawaii.

(b)  Upon enrollment, the Department of Human Services shall provide the former foster youth with written instructions for accessing medical care.

(c)  The department shall seek the approval of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement this section and shall obtain the approval prior to providing any medical assistance authorized under this section.

(d)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Former Foster Youth; Medical Assistance; Keiki Caucus

Description:

Requires the department of human services to offer and provide former foster youth enrollment in an appropriate medical assistance program and continue to provide assistance to the former foster youth until they reach age twenty-six.  Effective July 1, 2050.  (SB2589 HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.