|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to a nutrition and wellness education pilot program for |
|
certain recipients of certain state benefits. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 531.0995 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 531.0995. NUTRITION AND WELLNESS EDUCATION PILOT |
|
PROGRAM. (a) If the commission determines that it is |
|
cost-effective and feasible with available funds, the commission |
|
shall establish a pilot program in Harris County to provide a |
|
nutrition and wellness education course that promotes making |
|
healthy food and lifestyle choices to each person residing in the |
|
pilot program area who is determined eligible or recertified as |
|
eligible for benefits under: |
|
(1) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, |
|
Human Resources Code; |
|
(2) the medical assistance program under Chapter 32, |
|
Human Resources Code; and |
|
(3) the supplemental nutrition assistance program |
|
under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code. |
|
(b) If the commission implements the pilot program, the |
|
commission shall require a person described by Subsection (a)(1) or |
|
(3) to complete the course described by Subsection (a) as a |
|
condition of continued eligibility for the applicable benefits. |
|
(c) Not later than January 1, 2015, the commission shall |
|
report to the legislature on the pilot program. The report must |
|
include: |
|
(1) an evaluation of the pilot program's success, if |
|
the pilot program was implemented; |
|
(2) an explanation of why the pilot program was not |
|
determined to be cost-effective and feasible with available funds, |
|
if the pilot program was not implemented; and |
|
(3) a recommendation as to whether the pilot program |
|
should be continued, expanded, or implemented in the future, as |
|
applicable. |
|
(d) The executive commissioner may adopt rules to implement |
|
this section. |
|
(e) This section expires September 1, 2015. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 531.0995(b), Government Code, as added |
|
by this Act, applies to a person for whom an initial determination |
|
or recertification of eligibility for benefits under Chapter 31, |
|
Human Resources Code, or Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is made |
|
on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
|
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
|
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
|
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
|
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
|
waiver or authorization is granted. |
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |