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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 program for certain |
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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 PROGRAM. |
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(a) The commission shall establish an online program to provide a |
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nutrition and wellness education course that promotes healthy |
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eating habits and a physically active lifestyle. The commission |
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shall develop the program in the most cost-effective manner |
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possible by using the Internet and existing nutrition information |
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and educational resources. The program should target individuals |
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receiving 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) The commission shall work with community-based |
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organizations to encourage individuals receiving benefits to |
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access the information described by Subsection (a). |
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(c) Not later than January 1, 2015, the commission shall |
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report to the legislature on the program. The report must include: |
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(1) feedback from clients on the effectiveness of the |
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information provided; and |
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(2) any available data on the number of individuals |
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who accessed the information. |
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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. 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, 2013. |