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B 26-0751

Health and Human Service Programs and Benefits Eligibility and Delivery Data-Sharing Clarifications Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

The bill enables targeted interagency data-sharing to speed and improve eligibility determinations for health and human service programs, including SNAP ABAWD exemptions.

Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Human Services
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Bill Summary · B 26-0751

Overview

  • Bill: B 26-0751 (Emergency Amendment Act of 2026)
  • Jurisdiction: District of Columbia
  • Title: Health and Human Service Programs and Benefits Eligibility and Delivery Data-Sharing Clarifications Emergency Amendment Act of 2026
  • Purpose: Clarify and authorize data-sharing within the Department of Human Services (DHS) and between DHS and other District agencies to determine eligibility for federal and District health and human service programs, improve coordination, and support exemptions and exemptions-related determinations (notably for SNAP ABAWD time-limit exemptions and potential Medicaid requirements).

Main purpose and intent

  • Enhance coordination and efficiency in determining eligibility for health and human service programs by enabling targeted data-sharing among DHS components and with other District agencies.
  • Rely on the Data-Sharing and Information Coordination framework from the 2010 Act to govern disclosures.
  • Specifically aim to facilitate time-limit exemption determinations for SNAP ABAWD recipients and to anticipate exemptions under new or evolving federal rules (including potential Medicaid-related exemptions).

Key provisions and changes

  • Emergency Act status: Enacted on an emergency basis to take effect quickly, with a temporary 90-day duration (subject to Council action to extend or convert).
  • Amendments to the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005:
    • Section 9(a)(7) and Section 12(12) are amended to reference data-sharing authorities under the Data-Sharing and Information Coordination Amendment Act of 2010, clarifying that disclosures must be “consistent with the confidentiality requirements of District and federal law, subject to the authorized uses and mandatory disclosures” under Title I of the 2010 Act.
  • Amendments to the Data-Sharing and Information Coordination Amendment Act of 2010:
    • Section 101(1): Expands the definition of “agency” to include “authority, or instrumentality of the District of Columbia government, or any subdivision of such agency, department, unit, authority, or instrumentality.”
    • Section 102(a): Adjusts language to streamline or clarify the process around data-sharing authority (removing certain preconditions in the referenced language).
  • Data-sharing framework alignment:
    • Aligns the confidentiality and disclosure requirements with the authorized uses and mandatory disclosures under the 2010 Act, ensuring interagency sharing can support eligibility determinations.
  • Effective date and duration:
    • Effective upon mayoral approval; emergency status with a maximum duration of 90 days, unless extended or made permanent by subsequent action.

Who/what is affected

  • DHS programs and operations, specifically:
    • Family Services Administration
    • Economic Security Administration
  • Other District agencies that provide health or human services and may interact with DHS data under the Data-Sharing framework.
  • SNAP clients, particularly ABAWD recipients:
    • Potential time-limit exemptions determinations can be expedited through proactive data-sharing.
  • Potentially Medicaid-related eligibility processes anticipated for 2027, per the memorandum notes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Emergency ordinance intended to promptly clarify and authorize data-sharing to prevent benefit disruptions and improve eligibility processing.
  • Duration:
    • Initially in effect for up to 90 days under emergency act provisions.
  • Legislative process notes:
    • Fiscal impact statement by the Chief Financial Officer indicates sufficient funds through FY2026–FY2030 to implement.
    • Legal sufficiency review conducted by the Office of the Attorney General.
    • Action history indicates the bill was introduced mid-2026 and retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Human Services.

Fiscal impact (summary)

  • CFO finds funds sufficient in the revised FY2026 budget and in the proposed budgets through FY2030 to implement the bill.
  • Expected impact includes improved efficiency in eligibility determinations, potentially reducing benefit disruptions for ABAWD clients.

Practical impact for residents

  • Potential for quicker, more accurate determinations of SNAP eligibility exemptions for ABAWDs.
  • Improved coordination across DHS components could lead to more consistent benefit delivery and fewer administrative delays.
  • Transparency and protection of confidentiality are maintained through alignment with the Data-Sharing and Information Coordination Act of 2010.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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