2022 -- H 7490

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LC004761

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Barros, Giraldo, Kislak, Casimiro, Solomon, Alzate,
Felix, Cassar, and Messier

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-6 of the General Laws entitled "Public Assistance Act" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     40-6-8.2. Establishment of retail SNAP incentives program.

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     (a) There shall be established a separate fund to be known as the retail SNAP incentives

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program (RSIP) fund. The department of human services shall administer the fund. The fund shall

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be allocated the amount the department deems necessary to effectuate the program, from funds not

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otherwise expended in the general fund. The fund shall be expended first for the implementation

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and administration of the retail SNAP incentives program to promote healthy food access and

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nutrition among Rhode Island SNAP recipients.

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     (b) SNAP recipients will receive a minimum fifty cents ($0.50) credit on their electronic

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benefit transfer (EBT) card for each one dollar ($1.00) spent on eligible fruits and vegetables at

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participating RSIP retailers, up to a monthly limit as determined by the department. These credits

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shall be funded via the RSIP fund established in this section.

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     (c) The department shall provide an annual report to the general assembly regarding the

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amount of credits issued pursuant to this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2023.

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LC004761

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

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     This act would allow SNAP recipients to receive a minimum of fifty cents ($0.50) credit

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on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, for each one dollar ($1.00) spent on fruits and

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vegetables. The department of human services would create a separate SNAP fund and allocate

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funds from the general fund to effectuate this act.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2023.

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LC004761

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