2023 -- H 5799 | |
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LC001786 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Cruz, Cotter, Giraldo, Stewart, McGaw, | |
Date Introduced: February 22, 2023 | |
Referred To: House Finance | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 40-6 of the General Laws entitled “Public Assistance Act” is hereby |
2 | amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 40-6-8.3. Supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) - Additional benefits. |
4 | (a) Findings. |
5 | (1) The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Pub. L. No. 116-127 (2020) (the “Act”), |
6 | authorized the United Stated Department of Agriculture to allow states to temporarily modify |
7 | procedures to make it easier for families to continue participating in or apply for supplemental |
8 | nutrition assistance program benefits, commonly referred to as “SNAP” benefits. |
9 | (2) The Act also authorized temporary benefits increases, authorized by Congress, to |
10 | address food insecurity. |
11 | (3) These temporary benefit increases are scheduled to end after the February 2023 |
12 | issuances. |
13 | (4) The result of the end in these temporary benefit increases is that every household in |
14 | Rhode Island which receives SNAP benefits will experience a reduction in benefits of at least |
15 | ninety-five dollars ($95.00) per month. |
16 | (b) State to make temporary payment to offset (“offsets”) the loss of benefits. Commencing |
17 | July 1, 2023, the department of human services is directed to pay an additional ninety-five dollars |
18 | ($95.00) as an additional monthly benefit to each eligible recipient of SNAP benefits in the state, |
19 | through to December 1, 2023, to offset the loss of federal benefits. |
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1 | (c) The department shall pursue financial assistance from the federal government to help |
2 | defray the fiscal impact of these offsets authorized by the section. |
3 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT | |
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1 | This act would direct the department of human services commencing July 1, 2023, to pay |
2 | an additional SNAP benefit of $95.00 per month, through to December 1, 2023, to offset the loss |
3 | in benefits due to the end of federal temporary benefit increases. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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