SNAP FARMERS' MARKETS PILOT PROJECT (Section 208.010)

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 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 substantially similar to SCS/SB 850 (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.

OUT-OF-STATE USE OF EBT CARDS (Section 208.3 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 benefits. To ensure that benefits are not erroneously closed, a recipient shall notify the department of the reasons why he or she cannot be within the state for more than 90 days. 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.

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.

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.

ADRIANE CROUSE