HCS/SCS/SB 680 - This act modifies provisions relating to public assistance benefits.
SNAP FARMERS' MARKETS PILOT PROJECT (Section 208.018)
Subject to appropriations, this act requires the Department of Social Services to establish a pilot program for the purpose of providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants with access and the ability to afford fresh food when purchasing fresh food at farmers' markets. There shall be pilot programs in at least one rural and one urban area.
Under the pilot program, such participants shall be able to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and honey with SNAP benefits with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and receive a dollar-for-dollar match for every SNAP dollar spent at a participating farmer's market or vending agricultural zone in an amount up to ten dollars per week whenever the participant purchases fresh food with an EBT card.
In addition, purchases of approved fresh food by SNAP participants under this act shall automatically trigger matching funds reimbursement into the central vendor accounts by the Department.
The Department shall be required to promulgate rules setting forth the procedures and methods of implementing this act. This program shall sunset on August 28, 2020.
This provision is contained in HCS/SB 727 (2014); and substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 850 (2014); SCS/HCS/HBs 1861 & 1867 (2014); HB 1879; and HB 1970 (2014).
EBT USE BY TANF AND SNAP RECIPIENTS IN CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS (Section 208.024.1 AND 2)
This act amends the prohibition on the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits on EBT cards in specified establishments to prohibit EBT use at any place for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets, or tobacco products or for any item the Department of Social Services determines by rule is primarily marketed for or used by adults 18 or older and is not in the best interests of the child or household is prohibited. Owners or proprietors of specified businesses are prohibited from adopting any policy that encourages, permits, or acquiesces in its employees knowingly accepting EBT cards for prohibited purchases. This provision shall also include SNAP benefits.
This provision is substantially similar to SCS/SB 850 (2014); and SCS/HCS/HBs 1861 & 1867 (2014).
OUT-OF-STATE USE OF EBT CARDS (Section 208.024.3 and 4)
This act also requires recipients of TANF and SNAP benefits who do not make at least one transaction in the state during a 90 day period to have his or her benefit payments to the EBT account temporarily suspended, pending an investigation by the Department of Social Services to determine if he or she no longer is a Missouri resident. If the department finds that the recipient is no longer a Missouri resident, it shall close the recipient's case. A recipient may appeal the closure of his or her case to the director. A recipient who does not make an EBT transaction within the state for 60 days shall be given notice of the possibility of suspension of funds.
This provision is substantially similar to SCS/SB 850 (2014); and SCS/HCS/HBs 1861 & 1867 (2014).
DRUG TESTING OF TANF RECIPIENTS (Section 208.027)
This act repeals the provision requiring an automatic administrative hearing after an applicant or recipient of temporary assistance for needy families benefits tests positive for a controlled substance or refused to submit to a test. The applicant may request a administrative hearing, and shall receive such hearing upon request. This act adds "other information" in addition to information from the screening to the provision regarding requiring an applicant or recipient to test for drug use.
This provision is substantially similar to SCS/SB 850 (2014); and SCS/HCS/HBs 1861 & 1867 (2014).
MO HEALTHENT DONOR MILK (Section 208.141)
This act requires the Department of Social Services to reimburse hospitals under the MO HealthNet program for donor human milk provided to critically ill infants under three months of age in the neonatal intensive care unit, if the physician orders the milk and the Department determines it is medically necessary. Such donor milk shall be obtained from a donor bank that meets the Department's guidelines.
This provision is identical to SB 899 (2014) and contained in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 758 (2014); CCS/HCS/SS#2/SB 754 (2014).
AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROCESS FOR BENEFIT PROGRAMS (Section 208.238)
Under this act, the Department of Social Services is required to implement an automated process to ensure an applicant is eligible to apply for a public assistance benefit program. The automated process shall be designed to periodically review any current beneficiary to ensure he or she is still eligible for any benefit he or she is receiving. The system shall check applicant and recipient information against multiple sources of information through an automated process.
AMENDING THE SNAP BENEFITS BAN FOR DRUG FELONS (Section 208.247)
This act provides that pursuant to the option granted under the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, an individual who has a felony conviction under federal or state law involving possession or use of a controlled substance shall be eligible for food stamp benefits if such person, as determined by the Department of Social Services:
(1) Successfully participates in, is accepted for treatment and is on a waiting list for, or has satisfactorily completed a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
(2) Has been determined by a division-certified treatment provider to not need substance abuse treatment; or
(3) Complies with all obligations imposed by the court, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Division of Probation and Parole; and
(4) Does not have an additional controlled substance felony offense one year after release from custody or, if not committed to custody, such person does not have an additional controlled substance felony offense one year after the date of conviction.
The exemption under this act shall not apply to individuals who have had two subsequent felony offenses involving possession or use of a controlled substance after the date of the first controlled substance felony conviction.
The individual must all meet all other factors for foods stamps eligibility.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 727 (2014).
ADRIANE CROUSE