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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 students enrolled in a |
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postsecondary educational institution for the supplemental |
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nutrition assistance program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 33.020 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.020. SNAP ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED |
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IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) In this section, |
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"postsecondary educational institution" includes: |
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(1) an institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education as defined by Section |
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61.003, Education Code; and |
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(2) a career school or college as defined by Section |
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132.001, Education Code. |
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(b) The commission shall, as authorized under 7 U.S.C. |
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Section 2015(o)(6), provide an exemption from work requirements to |
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provide supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to an |
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individual who is enrolled at least half-time as a student in a |
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postsecondary educational institution and: |
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(1) is eligible to participate in a state or federally |
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funded work study program during the regular academic year, as |
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determined by the postsecondary educational institution; or |
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(2) in the current academic year, has an expected |
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family contribution of $0, as determined in accordance with Part F, |
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Title IV, of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section |
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1087kk et seq.). |
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(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to |
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implement this section, including rules that ensure a student |
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remains eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits |
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during a break in the semester or academic term of the postsecondary |
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educational institution in which the student is enrolled. |
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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 adopt the rules necessary to implement |
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Section 33.020, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. Section 33.020, Human Resources Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to an initial determination or |
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recertification of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition |
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assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, that is |
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made on or after the effective date of this Act. A determination or |
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recertification made before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the determination or |
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recertification was made, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. 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 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |