HB2121

THE CONTEXT: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) is a federal program that provides nutrition benefits to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase food. Individuals must apply in the state in which they currently live and meet certain requirements.

WHAT THE BILL DID: of assisting members of households participating in SNAP to gain skills, training, work or experience that will increase the ability of the household members to obtain regular employment and meet state or local workforce needs. A similar bill was introduced in the 56th legislature, 2nd regular session, and was vetoed by the Governor (HB2502 SNAP; mandatory employment; training).

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for snap into an enforceable rule. It would instruct DES to require able-bodied adults who are under 60 years of age and are receiving SNAP to participate in the mandatory employment and training program, unless the recipient meets the exempt criteria, and would also outlines the criteria that a SNAP recipient must meet to be exempted from the mandatory employment and training program: a) be in compliance with the work registration requirements under Title IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System; b) be a parent or other member of a household who is responsible for the care of an incapacitated person or a dependent child who is under the age of six; c) be a bona fide student who is enrolled at least half time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education unless the recipient is ineligible to participate in the mandatory employment and training program; d) be a regular participant in a drug addiction or an alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program; e) be employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings that equal the minimum hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, multiplied by 30 hours; or f) be 16-18 years of age and not the head of a household, attend school or be enrolled in an employment training program on at least a half-time basis, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.