ELECTRONIC DATA MATCHING

(a) In this section, "public assistance program" includes: (1) Medicaid; (2) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code; and (3) a nutritional assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program under that chapter. (b) At least quarterly, the commission shall conduct electronic data matches for a recipient of public assistance program benefits to verify the identity, income, employment status, and other factors that affect the recipient's eligibility. To verify a recipient's eligibility, the electronic data matching must match information the recipient provided with information contained in databases appropriate federal and state agencies maintain. (c) Health and human services agencies shall cooperate with the commission by providing data or any other assistance necessary to conduct the electronic data matches required by this section. (d) The commission shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with each state agency from which data is required to conduct electronic data matches under this section and Section 544.0456. (e) The commission may contract with a public or private entity to conduct the electronic data matches required by this section. (f) The executive commissioner shall establish procedures by which the commission or a health and human services agency the commission designates verifies the electronic data matches the commission conducts under this section. Not later than the 20th day after the date an electronic data match is verified, the commission shall remove from eligibility a recipient who is determined to be ineligible for a public assistance program.