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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain persons for the food stamp |
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program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by |
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adding Sections 33.030 and 33.031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.030. WAIVER FROM FOOD STAMP TIME LIMITS FOR CERTAIN |
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INDIVIDUALS. The executive commissioner shall seek a waiver under |
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Section 6(o)(4)(A), Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. |
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Section 2015(o)(4)(A)), to provide food stamp benefits to an |
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individual who: |
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(1) is otherwise ineligible for food stamp benefits |
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solely because of the application of Section 6(o)(2), Food and |
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Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Section 2015(o)(2)); and |
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(2) resides in an area covered by the waiver. |
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Sec. 33.031. EXEMPTION FROM FOOD STAMP TIME LIMITS FOR |
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COVERED INDIVIDUALS. (a) In this section, "covered individual" has |
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the meaning assigned by Section 6(o)(6)(A)(ii), Food and Nutrition |
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Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Section 2015(o)(6)(A)(ii)). |
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(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt criteria |
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for providing exemptions from the time limits for food stamp |
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benefits prescribed by Section 6(o)(2), Food and Nutrition Act of |
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2008 (7 U.S.C. Section 2015(o)(2)), for covered individuals in |
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accordance with Section 6(o)(6), Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 |
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U.S.C. Section 2015(o)(6)). |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall: |
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(1) apply for and actively pursue the waivers from the |
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appropriate federal agency required by Section 33.030, Human |
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Resources Code, as added by this Act; and |
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(2) adopt the criteria required by Section 33.031, |
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Human Resources Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |