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