The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 344 Original 2016 Regular Session Johns
Present law established a pilot program for a workforce training and education initiative in a limited
geographical area. Proposed law repeals the pilot program and implements a workforce training
program statewide.
Present law provides for legislative findings. Proposed law adds additional information to the
findings:
(1)Nearly half of all SNAP recipients are children and an additional 25 percent of SNAP
recipients are adults living with children.
(2)For the past 19 years, Louisiana has requested this particular SNAP waiver for which it
qualified each year due to high unemployment rates. For 12 of those years, Louisiana
qualified for a statewide waiver and for seven years, most Louisiana parishes qualified for
the waiver. However, due to the number of exemptions available under the federal program
to Louisiana, each of the past 19 years, Louisiana has administered this SNAP waiver on a
statewide basis.
(3)Able-bodied but SNAP-eligible adults without dependents comprise less than ten percent of
those who receive SNAP benefits in Louisiana.
Present law includes instructions and deadlines that have lapsed for the pilot program. Proposed law
repeals present law.
Proposed law is contingent upon approval of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture. Proposed law retains present law approval requirements.
Effective upon signature of the governor or upon lapse of gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 46:321-327)