2022 -- H 8283

========

LC006010

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $5,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT

OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE BABY FOOD AND INFANT FORMULA THROUGH

THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND OTHER MEANS

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, Hull, Corvese, Vella-Wilkinson, Azzinaro,
Biah, J Lombardi, Fenton-Fung, Filippi, and Quattrocchi

     Date Introduced: May 25, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, In the past few years, there have been several well-documented and well-

publicized cases of shortages of various goods and services; and

     WHEREAS, There has recently been a critical shortage in the availability of baby food

and infant formula, due to a combination of factors, which purportedly may include, but are not

limited to, supply-chain issues, product recalls, and the on-going war in Ukraine; and

     WHEREAS, While other shortages have produced varying effects ranging from

inconvenience to substantial hardship, the shortage in the availability of baby food and infant

formula directly impacts infants who are a vulnerable population, who are unable to advocate for

themselves, and who cannot afford to wait or put off the purchase of the product; now therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2022-2023, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000)

to the Department of Human Services to fund and assist in the procurement and distribution of

baby food and infant formula; and this money may be used and distributed both through the

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and also directly by the Department to assist in the

procurement and distribution of baby food and infant formula to all persons and households in

need of such assistance, regardless of income; and the state controller is hereby authorized and

directed to his/her draw orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much

thereof as may from time to time be required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

========

LC006010

========

LC006010 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $5,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT

OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE BABY FOOD AND INFANT FORMULA THROUGH

THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND OTHER MEANS

***

     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars

($5,000,000) to the department of human services to fund and assist in the procurement of baby

food and infant formula.

========

LC006010

========

LC006010 - Page 3 of 3