By: Walle, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Deuell)	H.B. No. 710
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 9, 2011;
	May 10, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
	and Human Services; May 20, 2011, reported favorably by the
	following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 20, 2011, sent to printer.)

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to verification of identity of applicants for benefits
	under and prevention of duplicate participation in the financial
	assistance and supplemental nutrition assistance programs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code,
	is amended by adding Section 31.0326 to read as follows:
	Sec. 31.0326.  VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY AND PREVENTION OF
	DUPLICATE PARTICIPATION. The Health and Human Services Commission
	shall use appropriate technology to:
	(1)  confirm the identity of applicants for benefits
	under the financial assistance program; and
	(2)  prevent duplicate participation in the program by
	a person.
	SECTION 2.  Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by
	adding Section 33.0231 to read as follows:
	Sec. 33.0231.  VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY AND PREVENTION OF
	DUPLICATE PARTICIPATION. The department shall use appropriate
	technology to:
	(1)  confirm the identity of applicants for benefits
	under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
	(2)  prevent duplicate participation in the program by
	a person.
	SECTION 3.  Section 31.0325, Human Resources Code, is
	repealed.
	SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
	a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
	federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
	the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
	authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
	waiver or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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