By: Walle H.B. No. 2126
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance
  program and the provision of employment and training services under
  the program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 33.0007 and 33.021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.0007.  THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS OF SNAP
  EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES.  (a)  The Health and Human
  Services Commission shall contract with one or more third-party
  service providers to provide supplemental nutrition assistance
  program employment and training services. The Health and Human
  Services Commission shall prioritize contracting with a
  third-party service provider that:
               (1)  expands the types and varieties of those services
  available to a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance
  benefits; and
               (2)  has a demonstrated record of preparing individuals
  for entry into workforce industries with a high demand for skilled
  labor.
         (b)  In contracting with a third-party service provider, the
  Health and Human Services Commission, shall ensure the terms of the
  contract are designed in a manner that maximizes this state's
  receipt of all available federal matching money for supplemental
  nutrition assistance program employment and training services.
         Sec. 33.021.  SNAP ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED
  IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.  (a)  In this section,
  "postsecondary educational institution" includes:
               (1)  an institution of higher education or a private or
  independent institution of higher education as defined by Section
  61.003, Education Code; and
               (2)  a career school or college as defined by Section
  132.001, Education Code.
         (b)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules consistent
  with federal law to provide supplemental nutrition assistance
  benefits to students enrolled in a postsecondary educational
  institution.  The rules must:
               (1)  identify the types of postsecondary degrees or
  programs in which a student must be enrolled to qualify for
  supplemental nutrition assistance benefits, including
  participation in any work placement or unpaid internship associated
  with a postsecondary educational institution; and
               (2)  ensure a student remains eligible for supplemental
  nutrition assistance benefits during a break in the semester or
  academic term of the postsecondary educational institution in which
  the student is enrolled.
         (c)  The executive commissioner shall establish a work group
  to provide input for the adoption of rules under Subsection (b). In
  adopting the rules, the executive commissioner shall consider the
  work group's input.
         (d)  The work group is composed of at least 9 but not more
  than 13 members who are representatives of:
               (1)  postsecondary educational institutions; or
               (2)  non-profit organizations serving low-income
  individuals.
         (e)  The executive commissioner shall ensure members of the
  work group represent various types of postsecondary educational
  institutions located throughout this state. The executive
  commissioner shall appoint one work group member to serve as
  presiding officer.
         (f)  The work group is automatically abolished on the
  adoption of rules under Subsection (b).
         (g)  Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) and this subsection
  expire September 1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than December 31, 2021, the
  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
  shall establish the work group required by Section 33.021, Human
  Resources Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than December 31, 2022, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  adopt the rules required by Section 33.021, Human Resources Code,
  as added by 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, 2021.