2024 -- H 7671

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LC004689

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND SUPPLEMENTAL

PAYMENTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN

RHODE ISLAND ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Sanchez, Giraldo, Cruz, J. Lombardi, Casimiro, Potter,
McNamara, Shallcross Smith, Handy, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2024

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 40 of the General Laws entitled "HUMAN SERVICES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 6.7

THE RHODE ISLAND SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN RHODE ISLAND ACT

     40-6.7-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Rhode Island Supplemental

Payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Rhode Island Act."

     40-6.7-2. Purpose and intent.

     The purpose of this chapter is to allocate three million dollars ($3,000,000) from the state

budget to provide cash benefits to individuals who are receiving and qualify for food stamps, also

known as the supplemental nutrition assistance program, in Rhode Island. The intent is to offer

financial assistance to eligible recipients, enhancing their ability to meet basic needs, and to

alleviate economic hardship.

     40-6.7-3. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

     (1) "Allocation of funds" means the earmarking or setting aside of a specific amount of

money for a particular purpose. In this law, three million dollars ($3,000,000) are allocated from

the state budget for the purpose of supplemental payments.

     (2) "Amendments or adjustments" means any changes to the program, whether through

amendments or adjustments, are to be made through the legislative process, ensuring a transparent

and accountable approach to modifying the law.

     (3) "Amount of supplemental payments" means that each eligible individual will receive a

monthly supplemental payment in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

     (4) "Cash benefits" means additional financial benefits provided to individuals who are

already receiving food stamps. These payments aim to further support and assist recipients in

meeting their basic needs.

     (5) "Duration of supplemental payments" means the duration of supplemental payments is

outlined to commence from the date of enactment of the law and continue until the allocated funds

are depleted, unless additional funds are allocated to sustain the payments.

     (6) "Financial assistance" means the provision of monetary support to individuals or groups

facing economic challenges. In this case, the law aims to offer financial assistance to eligible food

stamp recipients.

     (7) "Food stamp recipients" means individuals who qualify for and are currently receiving

assistance through the state's food stamp program, designed to alleviate food insecurity and provide

nutritional support to eligible individuals.

     (8) "Food stamps" means the supplemental nutrition assistance program, sometimes

referred to as "SNAP," as defined in § 40-6-8.

     (9) "Legislative process" means the formal steps and procedures followed by the state

legislature to propose, debate, and enact laws. Amendments or adjustments to the program must

adhere to this established process.

     (10) "Monitoring and reporting" means the department of human services is required to

regularly monitor the distribution of supplemental payments and provide reports to the state

legislature on the status of funds and the impact of the program.

     (11) "Number of individuals" means the reports must include information on the number

of individuals receiving supplemental payments, offering insights into the reach and effectiveness

of the financial assistance program.

     (12) "Recommendations for program improvement" means the reports submitted to the

state legislature should include any recommendations for program improvement, reflecting a

commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of the supplemental payments initiative.

     (13) "Review and reappropriation" means the state legislature is mandated to periodically

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review the effectiveness of the program and may consider reappropriating funds as needed to

sustain and enhance the supplemental payments to food stamp recipients.

     (14) "Rhode Island department of human services" or "department" means the department

responsible for overseeing social service programs and initiatives in Rhode Island. In this context,

it is tasked with administering the distribution of funds and ensuring eligible individuals receive

supplemental payments.

     (15) "State budget" means the financial plan of the state, outlining the allocation of funds

for different purposes.

     (16) "Sustain and enhance" means the goal of reappropriating funds is to sustain and

enhance the supplemental payments, emphasizing a commitment to ongoing support and potential

improvements for food stamp recipients in Rhode Island.

     (17) "Timely manner" means that the distribution of supplemental payments should be

done promptly and without unnecessary delays to ensure recipients receive the financial support

when needed.

     (18) "Total amount disbursed" means reports should detail the total amount of funds

disbursed as supplemental payments, providing transparency on the financial aspects of the

program.

     40-6.7-4. Allocation of Funds.

     (a) A sum of three million dollars ($3,000,000) is hereby allocated from the fiscal year

2025 state budget for the purpose of supplemental payments to food stamp recipients.

     (b) The department of human services is responsible for administering the distribution of

funds and ensuring that eligible individuals receive the supplemental payments in a timely manner.

     40-6.7-5. Amount and Duration of Supplemental Payments.

     (a) The supplemental payments shall be in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150)

per month for each eligible individual.

     (b) The payments shall commence from the date of enactment of this chapter and continue

until the allocated funds are depleted unless additional funds are allocated to sustain the

supplemental payments.

     40-6.7-6. Monitoring and Reporting.

     (a) The department of human services shall regularly monitor the distribution of

supplemental payments and provide a report to the general assembly on the status of funds and the

impact of the program.

     (b) The report shall include information on the number of individuals receiving

supplemental payments, the total amount disbursed, and any recommendations for program

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improvement.

     40-6.7-7. Review and subsequent appropriations and funding.

     (a) The general assembly shall review the effectiveness of this program periodically and

may consider reappropriating funds as needed to sustain and enhance the supplemental payments

to food stamp recipients.

     (b) Any amendments or adjustments to the program shall be made through the legislative

process.

     40-6.7-8. Commencement.

     This program shall begin distributing funds on January 1, 2025.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND SUPPLEMENTAL

PAYMENTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN

RHODE ISLAND ACT

***

     This act would direct the allocation of three million dollars ($3,000,000) from the 2025

state budget to provide cash benefits to individuals who are receiving and qualify for the

supplemental nutrition assistance program or "SNAP" benefits.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2025.

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