Funds held in an account in a pooled trust may be shared with persons with disabilities if legislation sponsored by Sen. Jay Costa is ultimately signed into law. The measure, which permits the sharing of funds with those who need services when a beneficiary dies, has now taken an initial step in the legislative process by clearing the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12.
Senate Bill 428 is sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). The measure was reported unanimously (14-0.)

Under current law, a trust may retain up to 50 percent of a beneficiary’s account for to be distributed to other beneficiaries. The remaining 50 percent of the account is reimbursed to Pennsylvania equal to the total amount of Medical Assistance that was paid on behalf of the beneficiary.