Chapter 186

2010 -- S 2495

Enacted 06/25/10

A N A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

Introduced By: Senator C Levesque

Date Introduced: February 11, 2010

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

40-6-8. Food stamp program. – Supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).

-- (a) The department shall have the responsibility to administer the food stamp program for the

state in compliance with the provisions of the federal Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, 7

U.S.C. section 2011 et seq. The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is and shall be

the new title of the program formerly known as the food stamp program. All references in the

Rhode Island general laws to food stamps shall be deemed to mean, apply to, refer to, and be

interpreted in accordance with the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

to assure the correctness and verification of the reports.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01556

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