House Bill 902

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK FEDERAL WAIVERS NECESSARY TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY DIET FOR RECIPIENTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS BY LIMITING THE PURCHASE OF FOODS AND BEVERAGES THAT ARE LOW IN NUTRIENTS AND FOODS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO DISEASES SUCH AS HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO SEEK FEDERAL WAIVERS NECESSARY TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO PERSONS WHO ARE RECIPIENTS OF BENEFITS OR SERVICES FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO EARN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CREDENTIAL BY TAKING AND PASSING GED TESTS; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE A VIDEO IN AN APPROPRIATE MEDIUM FOR PRESENTATION IN THE MAIN OR LOCAL OFFICES IN WHICH TANF AND SNAP BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT PROPER NUTRITION, HEALTHY EATING HABITS, AND PREVENTING AND REDUCING OBESITY; TO PROVIDE THAT APPLICANTS FOR AND RECIPIENTS OF TANF AND SNAP BENEFITS MAY VIEW THE VIDEO IN THE MAIN OR LOCAL OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT; TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO OPERATE THE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) ON AN ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER BASIS FROM AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2016; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The Mississippi Department of Human Services shall seek waivers from federal law and regulations from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Agriculture waivers that are necessary

to allow the Mississippi Department of Human Services to encourage a healthy diet for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by limiting the purchase of foods and beverages that are low in nutrients and foods that contribute to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

SECTION 2. The Mississippi Department of Human Services shall seek waivers from federal law and regulations from the United States Department of Health and Human Services that are necessary to allow the Mississippi Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to provide incentives to persons who are recipients of benefits or services from the Department of Human Services to earn their high school equivalency credential by taking and passing General Educational Development (GED) tests.

SECTION 3. The Mississippi Department of Human Services, in cooperation with the State Department of Health, shall prepare a video in an appropriate medium for presentation in the main or local offices in which Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are provided by the department that provides information about proper nutrition, healthy eating habits, and preventing and reducing obesity. Applicants for and recipients of TANF and SNAP benefits may view the video in the main or local office of the department.

SECTION 4. The State Department of Health shall operate the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on an electronic benefits transfer basis from and after January 1, 2016.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.