Reimbursement of services to find and sustain housing under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill directs the Department of Health Services to request from the secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services any waiver of federal law, state plan amendment, or other federal approval necessary to allow DHS to reimburse certified providers for services to help recipients of Medical Assistance find and sustain housing. Under the bill, assistance to find and sustain housing may include, among other things, financing for utility deposits, payments, or arrears;

payment of security deposits and first month's rent; onetime transition and moving costs; early detection and intervention for behaviors that may jeopardize housing, such as late rental payments and lease violations; and assistance with the housing recertification process. If the federal Department of Health and Human Services does not approve a waiver of federal law, state plan amendment, or other federal approval as provided in the bill, DHS is not allowed to reimburse certified providers for services to help recipients find and sustain housing under the bill. The Medical Assistance program is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources.

Who's behind it

5 senators are its authors⁠. All 5 are Democrats.

19 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.