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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2154 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that because of Hawaii's high cost of living and food prices that many low-income individuals and families struggle to purchase food. The supplemental nutrition assistance program, formerly known as the food stamp program, is a crucial means of providing necessary assistance in the purchasing of food for some of Hawaii's most disadvantaged citizens. In September 2016, 173,669 people in Hawaii participated in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, which is 5.1 per cent less participation than in September 2015. While Hawaii secures over $500,000,000 annually in supplemental nutrition assistance program moneys, the United States Department of Agriculture estimates of program participation rates in 2014 ranked Hawaii thirty-fourth among states in the percentage of eligible individuals that participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
The legislature also finds that if all individuals who are eligible for the supplemental nutrition assistance program were to participate then Hawaii would receive hundreds of millions in federal funding. Additionally, Moody's Analytics estimates that for every dollar given in supplemental nutrition assistance program funds, up to one dollar and seventy cents can be generated in the local economy.
The legislature further finds that many individuals that are eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program do not participate because they are unaware of their eligibility or of the supplemental nutrition assistance program's existence. Authorizing healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith-based organizations to assist those in need to apply for the supplemental nutrition assistance program may help healthcare providers reach out and educate clients about the benefits available through participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Furthermore, authorizing healthcare providers to report to the legislature an aggregate collection of data about state supplemental nutrition assistance program participation creates a mechanism by which policy makers can better establish plans to maximize federal funding and increase food security. Each of these outcomes will result in the State having more supplemental nutrition assistance program participants, which in turn will result in heightened food security for low-income individuals and families, and more money flowing into the State's economy.
The purpose of this Act is to authorize healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith based organizations to ask clients, and subsequently report aggregate responses to the department of human services, about participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§346- Supplemental nutrition assistance program participation. (a) Healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith based organizations may provide supplemental nutrition assistance program applications to prospective applicants.
(b) Healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith-based organizations that provide supplemental nutrition assistance program applications to prospective applicants shall maintain a record of the distribution of the SNAP applications and upon request shall make the record available to the department of human services."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Description:
Authorizes healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith based organizations to assist in providing the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) applications to prospective applicants in order to increase SNAP participation in Hawaii.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.