HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	221
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 346-70, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§346-70[]] Medical assistance for other pregnant women. (a) The department may provide state-funded medical assistance to a pregnant woman age nineteen years of age or older whose countable family income does not exceed one hundred and eighty-five per cent of the federal poverty level for a family of applicable size, including the expected unborn children. The pregnant woman shall be:

(1) A legal immigrant who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996; and

(2) Otherwise eligible for benefits under the State's medicaid program but is prohibited from participating in any medical assistance program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for a period of five years beginning on the date of her entry into the United States, due to restricted eligibility rules imposed by title XIX of the Social Security Act and the Personal Responsibility and Work [[]Opportunity[]] Reconciliation Act of 1996.

(b) Once determined eligible for medical assistance under this section, the pregnant woman shall continue to be eligible throughout her pregnancy and through the last day of the calendar month in which the sixty-day period following childbirth ends.

(c) Assets shall not be evaluated for eligibility purposes.

(d) Any pregnant woman who is ineligible for insurance coverage through her employer or med-QUEST and who receives substance abuse treatment during the sixty-day period before childbirth shall be eligible for substance abuse treatment and related mental health services for no more than ten additional months following childbirth; provided that the woman adheres to all substance abuse treatment program requirements; provided further that this subsection shall be subject to legislative appropriations and any necessary federal approval.

[(d)] (e) The director shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to determine eligibility for medical assistance."

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Human Services; Medical Assistance; Pregnant Women; Substance Abuse Treatment; Mental Health

Description:

Provides that certain pregnant women receiving state-funded medical assistance and who receive substance abuse treatment are eligible for substance abuse treatment and related mental health services for an additional ten months following childbirth. (HD1)

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