2024 -- H 7854

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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 -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Giraldo, Handy, Sanchez, Cotter, Vella-
Wilkinson, Felix, Kislak, Henries, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: House Finance

     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. 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. § 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, as follows:

     (1) 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 that 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;

     (2) 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, that may be necessary to

assure the correctness and verification of the reports; and

     (3) The department shall develop a plan to streamline the application, certification, and

recertification process for SNAP beneficiaries aged sixty (60) years and over.

     (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 § 115(a)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work

Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-193), 21 U.S.C. § 862a(a)(2), and as this

section may hereafter be amended.

     (e) Commencing July 1, 2024, a household which meets any of the following requirements

contained in this subsection (e) of this section shall be eligible to receive one additional benefit of

forty dollars ($40.00) per month; provided that, each household may receive only one additional

forty dollars ($40.00) in benefits per month pursuant to this subsection:

     (1) Any household containing persons eligible for food stamp benefits containing minor

children under the age of eighteen (18) years may receive an additional forty dollars ($40.00) per

month in food stamp benefits; or

     (2) Any household containing persons eligible for food stamp benefits containing a person

with a disability, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.

(1990), and as such act is amended, may receive an additional forty dollars ($40.00) per month in

food stamp benefits.

     (f) Commencing July 1, 2024, any person eligible for food stamp benefits and sixty (60)

years of age or older may receive an additional forty dollars ($40.00) per month in food stamp

benefits.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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 provide eligibility for an additional forty dollars ($40.00) per month in food

stamp benefits to certain qualifying persons or households eligible for food stamp benefits,

commencing July 1, 2024.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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