82R24153 EES-F
By: King of Taylor H.B. No. 3451
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3451:
By: Taylor of Collin C.S.H.B. No. 3451
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to improving nutrition and health outcomes among
recipients of benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY. The
legislature finds that:
(1) Texans are committed to ensuring the health of
families and children and understand the importance of the role
preventive health care measures have on population health and the
state economy;
(2) consuming healthy foods such as fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and
seafood, and consuming fewer foods with sodium, saturated and trans
fats, added sugars, and refined grains, are important preventive
health care measures; and
(3) public benefits programs that provide recipients
with access to an adequate and nutritional diet should incorporate
sound nutritional principles and promote the health and well-being
of recipients.
SECTION 2. WAIVER OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION TO IMPROVE
NUTRITION AND HEALTH OUTCOMES UNDER CERTAIN PROGRAMS. (a) The
executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
shall develop and seek a waiver or other appropriate authorization
from the United States secretary of agriculture under Section 17,
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Section 2026), to make
changes to the supplemental nutrition assistance program provided
under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, to improve nutrition and
health outcomes among recipients of benefits under the program.
(b) In developing the waiver or other authorization under
Subsection (a) of this section, the executive commissioner of the
Health and Human Services Commission may consider the feasibility,
including the costs and benefits, of:
(1) restricting the purchase of certain food items
with minimal nutritional value under the supplemental nutrition
assistance program; and
(2) promoting healthy food choices by recipients of
benefits under the program.
(c) In developing the waiver or other authorization under
Subsection (a) of this section, the executive commissioner of the
Health and Human Services Commission shall solicit input from
interested persons, including state agencies that administer
nutritional assistance programs, nonprofit organizations that
administer hunger relief programs, health care providers,
nutrition experts, food retailers, and food industry
representatives.
(d) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services
Commission shall apply for and actively pursue the waiver or other
authorization as required by Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.