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HR 4000 IH

To extend eligibility for certain Federal benefits to citizens of the Freely Associated States.

October 30, 2007

Mr. ABERCROMBIE (for himself, Ms. HIRONO, and Ms. BORDALLO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To extend eligibility for certain Federal benefits to citizens of the Freely Associated States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. EXCEPTION FOR CITIZENS OF FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES.

(a) In General- Section 402(a)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(M) EXCEPTION FOR CITIZENS OF FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES- With respect to eligibility for benefits for the specified Federal programs described in paragraph (3), paragraph (1) shall not apply to any individual who lawfully resides in the United States (including territories and possessions of the United States) in accordance with--

`(i) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, approved by Congress in the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003;

`(ii) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, approved by Congress in the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003; or

`(iii) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Government of Palau, approved by Congress in Public Law 99-658 (100 Stat. 3672).'.

(b) Medicaid and TANF Exceptions- Section 402(b)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(G) MEDICAID AND TANF EXCEPTIONS FOR CITIZENS OF FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES- With respect to eligibility for benefits for the programs defined in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (3) (relating to temporary assistance for needy families and medicaid), paragraph (1) shall not apply to any individual who lawfully resides in the United States (including territories and possessions of the United States) in accordance with a Compact of Free Association referred to in subsection (a)(2)(M).'.

(c) Qualified Alien- Section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1641(b)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (6), by striking `or' at the end;

(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`(8) an individual who lawfully resides in the United States (including territories and possessions of the United States) in accordance with a Compact of Free Association referred to in section 402(a)(2)(M).'.

(d) Conforming Amendments- Section 1108 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended--

(1) in subsection (f), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking `subsection (g)' and inserting `subsections (g) and (h)'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(h) The limitations of subsections (f) and (g) shall not apply with respect to medical assistance provided to an individual described in section 431(b)(8) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.'.

(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by this Act take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and apply to benefits and assistance provided on or after that date.