BILL REQ. #:  H-3046.1 

READ FIRST TIME 04/23/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to the treatment of income and resources for institutionalized persons receiving medical assistance; amending RCW 74.09.575; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 74.09.575 and 1989 c 87 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall promulgate rules consistent with the treatment of resources provisions of section 1924 of the social security act entitled "Treatment of Income and Resources for Certain Institutionalized Spouses," in determining the allocation of resources between the institutionalized and community spouse.
     (2) In the interest of supporting the community spouse the department shall allow the maximum resource allowance amount permissible under the social security act for the community spouse for persons institutionalized before July 1, 2003.
     (3) For persons institutionalized on or after July 1, 2003, the department, in the interest of supporting the community spouse, shall allow up to a maximum of forty thousand dollars in resources for the community spouse. For the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2005, and each fiscal biennium thereafter, the maximum resource allowance amount for the community spouse shall be adjusted for economic trends and conditions by increasing the amount allowable by the consumer price index as published by the federal bureau of labor statistics. However, in no case shall the amount allowable exceed the maximum resource allowance permissible under the social security act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2003.