S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4906
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 16, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sens. RIVERA, CLEARE, MYRIE, SALAZAR -- read twice and
ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
Health
AN ACT to amend the social services law and the correction law, in
relation to presumptive eligibility for medical assistance benefits of
individuals leaving incarceration
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 364-i of the social services law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
9. (A) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS INCARCERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, OR IN A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACIL-
ITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO OF THE CORRECTION LAW, SHALL BE PRESUMED
ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS TITLE BEGINNING ON THE DATE
OF THEIR RELEASE FROM INCARCERATION, WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION OR THE LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY DETERMINES,
ON THE BASIS OF PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE
FOR COVERAGE UNDER PARAGRAPHS (B) OR (C) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THIS TITLE.
(B) THE PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY SHALL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EARLIER OF:
THE DAY ON WHICH ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED UNDER THIS TITLE; OR, IN THE
CASE OF AN INDIVIDUAL FOR WHOM AN APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS
TITLE IS NOT FILED OR WHO DOES NOT FILE AN APPLICATION FOR SUCH ASSIST-
ANCE, SIXTY DAYS AFTER RELEASE OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL FROM INCARCERATION.
(C) THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF, AND AS LONG AS,
FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION IS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURES INCURRED
UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
(D) THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH SHALL TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY AND
SHALL USE BEST EFFORTS TO SECURE FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION FOR
PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, INCLUDING THE PROMPT SUBMISSION OF APPRO-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02422-02-3
S. 4906 2
PRIATE AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE FEDERAL
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT.
(E) THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH SHALL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPART-
MENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY
AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF
ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS AND ANY OTHER ENTITY OR INDIVIDUALS THAT
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DEEM NECESSARY, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE REPRESEN-
TATIVES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO CURRENTLY OR FORMERLY
INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, DEVELOP PROCESSES FOR ENROLLING ALL INDIVID-
UALS INCARCERATED IN STATE AND LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES INTO THE
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION OR ANY OTHER HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, AND ENSURE THAT ALL INDI-
VIDUALS ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR OTHER
INSURANCE PROGRAM TO BEGIN RECEIVING MEDICAL SERVICES IMMEDIATELY UPON
THEIR RELEASE FROM INCARCERATION. THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH SHALL ALSO
DEVELOP PROCESSES FOR ASSISTING ALL LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN
MAKING DETERMINATIONS OF PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION, INCLUDING ENGAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS NECES-
SARY FOR THIS PURPOSE. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO DEVELOP MATERIALS AND
INFORMATION FOR EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS HIRED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS REGARD-
ING ELIGIBILITY AND PROCESSES FOR ENROLLING INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS
INTO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER INSURANCE PROGRAMS, AND MATERIALS
TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS LEAVING CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ABOUT THE MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INCLUDING WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE
CONTINUED ENROLLMENT IN THE PROGRAM FOR THOSE DEEMED PRESUMPTIVELY
ELIGIBLE, AND HOW TO BEGIN RECEIVING MEDICAL SERVICES UPON RELEASE FROM
INCARCERATION.
§ 2. Section 71 of the correction law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 9 to read as follows:
9. (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO ENROLL INTO
THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY PERSONS PROGRAM UNDER TITLE ELEVEN OF
ARTICLE FIVE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW ANY ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL COMMIT-
TED TO THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT, UNDER SUBDIVISION NINE OF SECTION
THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR-I OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, UNLESS THE
DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT SUCH APPLICATION IS UNNECESSARY BECAUSE THE
INDIVIDUAL WAS ENROLLED IN THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AT THE TIME OF
THEIR INCARCERATION AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN SO AT THE TIME OF RELEASE
OR BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS INELIGIBLE FOR ENROLLMENT IN SUCH PROGRAM
OR DOES NOT WISH TO BE ENROLLED. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO SUCH MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE SHALL BE FURNISHED FOR ANY CARE, SERVICES, OR SUPPLIES
PROVIDED DURING SUCH TIME AS THE PERSON IS INCARCERATED EXCEPT AS
AUTHORIZED UNDER SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF
THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW. FOR INDIVIDUALS SUCCESSFULLY ENROLLED UNDER
THIS SUBDIVISION, ANY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ENROLLMENT SHALL BE KEPT IN
THE INDIVIDUAL'S RECORDS UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL'S RELEASE FROM CUSTODY, AT
WHICH TIME SUCH DOCUMENTS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
(B) WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL IS FOUND INELIGIBLE FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE DILIGENT EFFORTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER
THE INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE FOR ANY OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE PROGRAM AND,
IF SO, ASSIST THE INDIVIDUAL IN APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM FOR WHICH THEY
ARE ELIGIBLE IF THEY WISH TO ENROLL IN SUCH PROGRAM.
§ 3. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 500-q to
read as follows:
§ 500-Q. MEDICAID ENROLLMENT. 1. WHERE PRACTICABLE, FOR ANY ELIGIBLE
INDIVIDUAL INCARCERATED IN A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, THE SUPER-
S. 4906 3
INTENDENT OF SUCH FACILITY SHALL TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY FOR ENROLLMENT
INTO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY PERSONS PROGRAM UNDER TITLE ELEVEN
OF ARTICLE FIVE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, UNDER SUBDIVISION NINE OF
SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR-I OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, UNLESS
THE SUPERINTENDENT DETERMINES THAT SUCH APPLICATION IS UNNECESSARY
BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL WAS ENROLLED IN THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AT
THE TIME OF THEIR INCARCERATION AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN SO AT THE TIME
OF RELEASE, OR BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS INELIGIBLE FOR ENROLLMENT IN
SUCH PROGRAM OR DOES NOT WISH TO BE ENROLLED. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO
SUCH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHALL BE FURNISHED FOR ANY CARE, SERVICES, OR
SUPPLIES PROVIDED DURING SUCH TIME AS THE PERSON IS INCARCERATED EXCEPT
AS AUTHORIZED UNDER SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX
OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW. FOR INDIVIDUALS SUCCESSFULLY ENROLLED UNDER
THIS SUBDIVISION, ANY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ENROLLMENT SHALL BE KEPT IN
THE INDIVIDUAL'S RECORDS UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL'S RELEASE FROM CUSTODY, AT
WHICH TIME SUCH DOCUMENTS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
2. WHEN A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE AN APPLI-
CATION FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PRIOR TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S RELEASE FROM ITS
CUSTODY, THE FACILITY SHALL ASSIST THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE COMPLETION OF
ANY REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FOR A PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION
PRIOR TO SUCH INDIVIDUAL'S RELEASE UNLESS THE INDIVIDUAL DECIDES THAT
THEY DO NOT WISH TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM. THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL
ASSIST INDIVIDUALS TO SUBMIT ANY PRELIMINARY INFORMATION THAT MAY BE
NECESSARY TO MEET PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS UNDER SUBDIVISION
NINE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR-I OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
3. WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL IS FOUND INELIGIBLE FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL MAKE DILIGENT EFFORTS TO DETERMINE
WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE FOR ANY OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE
PROGRAM AND, IF SO, ASSIST THE INDIVIDUAL IN APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM FOR
WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE IF THEY WISH TO ENROLL IN SUCH PROGRAM.
§ 4. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 366-a of the social
services law, as amended by chapter 41 of the laws of 1992, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) notify the applicant in writing of the decision, and where such
applicant is found eligible, provide a tamper resistant identification
card containing a photo image of the applicant for use in securing
medical assistance under this title provided, however, that an identifi-
cation card need not contain a photo image of a person other than an
adult member of an eligible household or a single-person eligible house-
hold. The department is not required to provide, but shall seek practi-
cal methods for providing, a card with such picture to a person when
such person is homebound or is a resident of a residential health care
facility, or an in-patient psychiatric facility, or is expected to
remain hospitalized for an extended period. WHERE THE APPLICANT IS
INCARCERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION
OR IN A LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO OF THE
CORRECTION LAW, THE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICIAL OR THE DEPART-
MENT OF HEALTH OR ITS AGENT SHALL PROVIDE SUCH IDENTIFICATION CARD TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION OR LOCAL CORREC-
TIONAL FACILITY FOR KEEPING WITH THE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL'S RECORDS
UNTIL SUCH INDIVIDUAL IS RELEASED. The commissioner shall have the
authority to define categories of recipients who are not required to
have a photo identification card where such card would be limited,
unnecessary or impracticable.
§ 5. Section 71 of the correction law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 10 to read as follows:
S. 4906 4
10. (A) THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF
HEALTH, SHALL STUDY AND REPORT ANNUALLY ON ENROLLMENT IN THE MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY PERSONS PROGRAM OF APPLICANTS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE
DEPARTMENT. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE CUSTO-
DY OF EACH FACILITY WERE:
(I) ENROLLED IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE PROGRAMS
AT THE TIME OF THEIR INCARCERATION;
(II) ENROLLED INTO SUCH PROGRAMS DURING THEIR INCARCERATION, INCLUDING
WHETHER THEY WERE ENROLLED THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICTS OR THE NEW
YORK STATE HEALTH BENEFITS EXCHANGE PORTAL;
(III) RELEASED WITH PROOF OF ENROLLMENT IN SUCH PROGRAMS; AND
(IV) RELEASED WITHOUT PROOF OF ENROLLMENT IN SUCH PROGRAMS.
(B) THE FIRST REPORT UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE COMPLETED BY
DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFT-
ER. REPORTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT
OF THE SENATE, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.
§ 6. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of subdivision 9 of section 500-b of the
correction law, as amended by chapter 574 of the laws of 1985, are
amended to read as follows:
(e) court orders which have been issued and which relate to staffing,
jail capacity or security requirements; [and]
(f) THE NUMBER OF ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE CUSTODY OF EACH FACILITY (1)
ENROLLED IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE PROGRAMS AT
THE TIME OF THEIR INCARCERATION; (2) ENROLLED INTO SUCH PROGRAMS DURING
THEIR INCARCERATION, INCLUDING WHETHER THEY WERE ENROLLED THROUGH SOCIAL
SERVICES DISTRICTS OR THE NEW YORK STATE HEALTH BENEFITS EXCHANGE
PORTAL; (3) RELEASED WITH PROOF OF ENROLLMENT IN SUCH PROGRAMS; AND (4)
RELEASED WITHOUT PROOF OF ENROLLMENT IN SUCH PROGRAMS; AND
(G) any other information requested by the commission and available to
the chief administrative officer with respect to this section.
§ 7. Section 45 of the correction law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. MAKE AN ANNUAL REPORT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF
HEALTH, TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY CONTAINING INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM LOCAL
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES UNDER PARAGRAPH (F) OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED-B OF
THIS CHAPTER REGARDING ENROLLMENT IN THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY
PERSONS PROGRAM OR OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE PROGRAM OF APPLICANTS IN THE
CUSTODY OF LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. THE FIRST REPORT UNDER THIS
SUBDIVISION SHALL BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
TWENTY-FOUR, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER.
§ 8. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the amendments to
section 500-b of the correction law made by section six of this act
shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed
therewith. Effective immediately, the commissioner of health, the
commissioner of corrections and community supervision, and the super-
intendents of local correctional facilities shall make regulations and
take other actions reasonably necessary to implement the provisions of
this act on its effective date.