2022 -- S 2310 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC004363/SUB A

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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: Senators Lawson, McCaffrey, DiMario, Goodwin, Valverde, Kallman,
Pearson, Euer, Cano, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

amended by adding thereto the following section:

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

     (a) There shall be established a retail supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP)

incentives pilot program to be administered by the department of human services. Funds

appropriated for the program shall be expended first for the implementation and administration of

the retail SNAP incentives program to promote healthy food access and nutrition among Rhode

Island SNAP recipients.

     (1) SNAP households will receive fifty cents ($0.50) credit on their electronic benefit

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

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

     (2) This pilot program shall take effect on January 1, 2023, and operate until appropriated

funds are expended.

     (b) The department of human services shall promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures

necessary for the implementation of this section including, but not limited to the following:

     (1) Eligibility for pilot participation;

     (2) Purchases eligible to earn incentive payments;

     (3) Monthly incentive limits that may be earned by participating households; and

     (4) Eligible uses of earned incentive payments.

     (c) The department shall report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and

chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees regarding the amount of credits issued

pursuant to this section and administrative expenses, no later than February 15, 2024.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

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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

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

vegetables. The department of human services would promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures

to effectuate this act.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2022.

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