SF 2069 (LSB 5701XS (5) 90)

SENATE FILE 2069

BY  TRONE GARRIOTT, DONAHUE, WAHLS, JOCHUM, and PETERSEN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to modernization of nutrition programs in the state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  MODERNIZATION OF NUTRITION PROGRAMS —— INITIATIVES —— REPORT.
   1.  For the purposes of this section:
   a.  “Department” means the department of health and human services.
   b.  “SNAP” means the same as defined in section 239.1.
   c.  “WIC” means the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children as provided in 42 U.S.C. §1786 et seq.
   2.  The department shall do all of the following to modernize nutrition programs in the state:
   a.  Create an integrated eligibility determination application to be used for both WIC and SNAP.
   b.  Implement all of the following strategies as pilot initiatives:
   (1)  Incorporate all available federal waivers to modernize WIC by building or enhancing remote service, including through a waiver permitting the use of telephone and video calls, rather than requiring physical presence to complete WIC certification and recertification.
   (2)  Create opportunities and modify the department’s internet site for WIC to simplify the application process and WIC benefit distribution by doing all of the following:
   (a)  Implement streamlined eligibility for WIC applicants who demonstrate proof of enrollment in SNAP or Medicaid by using state-level referrals and data and information sharing and matching.
   (b)  Enable automatic online loading of benefits to WIC nutrition cards.
   (c)  Offer online shopping with WIC nutrition cards.
   (d)  Explore other opportunities to improve access to WIC benefits and to remove administrative burdens as allowed by federal law.
   3.  The department shall request federal approval of any waiver or state plan as necessary to implement the modernization initiatives described in subsection 2 and shall implement the initiatives upon receipt of federal approval.
   4.  Within thirty days following completion of the first six months of implementation of this section, the department shall submit a report to the general assembly regarding the outcomes resulting from this section, an evaluation of the feasibility of expanding the modernization initiatives statewide, and the projected impact of statewide expansion.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the department of health and human services (HHS) to modernize the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) and the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) in the state. 
   The bill directs HHS to create an integrated eligibility determination application to be used for both WIC and SNAP.  HHS shall also implement specified strategies as pilot initiatives including: incorporating all available federal waivers to modernize WIC by building or enhancing remote service, including through a waiver permitting the use of telephone and video calls, rather than requiring physical presence to complete WIC certification and recertification; and creating opportunities and modifying the department’s internet site for WIC to simplify the application process and WIC benefit distribution by streamlining eligibility for WIC applicants who demonstrate proof of enrollment in SNAP or Medicaid, enabling automatic online loading of benefits to WIC nutrition cards, offering online shopping with WIC nutrition cards, and exploring other opportunities to improve access to WIC benefits and to remove administrative burdens as allowed by federal law.
   The bill requires HHS to request federal approval of any waiver or state plan as necessary to implement the bill and to implement the bill upon receipt of federal approval.
   HHS shall submit a report to the general assembly within 30 days following completion of the first six months of implementation of the bill that includes the outcomes resulting from the bill, an evaluation of the feasibility of expanding the provisions of the bill statewide, and the projected impact of statewide expansion.