MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Human Services

By: Representatives Sanford, Barnett, Middleton

House Bill 203

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK FEDERAL WAIVERS NECESSARY TO ALLOW RECIPIENTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS TO USE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THEIR BENEFITS EACH MONTH TO PAY A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF PROVIDING WATER SERVICE TO THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE FROM A PUBLIC UTILITY; 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 that are necessary

to allow recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to use up to Twenty Dollars ($20.00) of their benefits each month to pay a portion of the costs of providing water service to their place of residence from a public utility.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.