FL H0829

Defines "lawfully residing child" as a child who is lawfully present in the United States, meets Medicaid or CHIP residency requirements, and may be eligible for medical assistance with federal financial participation under section 214 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.

Deletes the definition of "qualified alien" and replaces it with "lawfully residing child" throughout Florida Kidcare program statutes to clarify eligibility requirements.

Explicitly excludes undocumented immigrants from eligibility for Title XXI-funded premium assistance for health benefits coverage under the Florida Kidcare program.

Adds optional Medicaid payments eligibility for children under 19 who would qualify for Medicaid but are lawfully residing children, while clarifying that undocumented immigrants are excluded from optional Medicaid payments or related services.

Allows legal aliens already enrolled in the Florida Healthy Kids program as of January 31, 2004, to continue receiving state-funded premium assistance if they do not qualify for Title XXI federal funds.

Takes effect July 1, 2015.