2013 -- H 5029

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LC00031

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Messier, Ferri, Malik, E Coderre, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 40-6-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6 entitled "Public

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Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     40-6-8. Supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). -- (a) The department

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shall have the responsibility to administer the food stamp program for the state in compliance

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with the provisions of the federal Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, 7 U.S.C. section 2011 et

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seq. The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is and shall be the new title of the

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program formerly known as the food stamp program. All references in the Rhode Island general

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laws to food stamps shall be deemed to mean, apply to, refer to, and be interpreted in accordance

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with the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).

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      (b) The department is empowered and authorized to submit its plan for food stamps to

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the federal government or any agency or department of it. The department shall act for the state in

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any negotiations relative to the submission and approval of a plan, and may make any

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arrangement or changes in its plan not inconsistent with this chapter which may be required by

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the Food Stamp Act or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to it to obtain and retain

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such approval and to secure for this state the benefits of the provisions of the federal act relating

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to food stamps. The department shall make reports to the federal government or any agency or

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department of it in the form and nature required by it, and in all respects comply with any request

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or direction of the federal government or any agency or department of it, which may be necessary

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to assure the correctness and verification of the reports.

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      (c) The department is authorized and directed to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the

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state's share of the administrative cost involved in the operation of the food stamp program.

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      (d) No person shall be ineligible for food stamp benefits due solely to the restricted

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eligibility rules otherwise imposed by section 115(a)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work

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Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Laws No. 104-193), 21 U.S.C. section

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862a(a)(2), and as this section may hereafter be amended.

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     (e) The department shall be required to issue (EBT) electronic benefit transfer cards used

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to administer this program with the cardholder’s picture identification.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00031

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

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     This act would require picture identification on all (EBT) electronic benefit transfer cards

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issued to administer this program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00031

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H5029