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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot program to facilitate food stamp program |
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outreach efforts and eligibility determination processes. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 531.066 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 531.066. FOOD STAMP PROGRAM OUTREACH AND ELIGIBILITY |
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DETERMINATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall develop and |
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implement a pilot program in the South Texas region under which a |
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private retail business that provides services related to the food |
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stamp program administered under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, |
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enters into an agreement with the commission to support outreach |
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efforts and eligibility determinations for that program. |
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(b) Subject to state and federal laws governing the food |
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stamp program, an agreement between a private retail business |
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participating in the pilot program and the commission may require |
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the business to: |
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(1) provide informational materials, including |
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eligibility guidelines and eligibility redetermination |
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information, to the customers of the business and other persons |
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regarding the food stamp program; |
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(2) perform outreach services, as determined by the |
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commission, with respect to the program; and |
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(3) provide space at the retail locations of the |
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business at which commission staff and contractors of the |
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commission may conduct outreach efforts and eligibility |
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determinations related to the program. |
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(b-1) An agreement between a private retail business |
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participating in the pilot program and the commission may authorize |
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the business to: |
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(1) implement strategies to encourage recipients of |
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food stamps who are also Medicaid recipients to engage in healthy |
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behaviors; and |
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(2) provide incentives to recipients described by |
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Subdivision (1) who are children younger than 21 years of age to |
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make timely health care visits under the early and periodic |
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screening, diagnosis, and treatment program. |
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(c) In developing the pilot program, the executive |
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commissioner may adopt rules regarding the requirements applicable |
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to a private retail business that participates in the program. |
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(d) Not later than December 1, 2008, the commission shall |
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submit a report to the legislature that includes: |
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(1) an evaluation of the pilot program, including the |
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program's effects on the food stamp program; and |
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(2) recommendations regarding the continuation or |
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expansion of the pilot program. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2009. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |
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