83R4979 ADM-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 1341
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a nutrition and wellness education pilot program for
certain recipients of certain state benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 531.0995 to read as follows:
Sec. 531.0995. NUTRITION AND WELLNESS EDUCATION PILOT
PROGRAM. (a) If the commission determines that it is
cost-effective and feasible with available funds, the commission
shall establish a pilot program in Harris County to provide a
nutrition and wellness education course that promotes making
healthy food and lifestyle choices to each person residing in the
pilot program area who is determined eligible or recertified as
eligible for benefits under:
(1) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31,
Human Resources Code;
(2) the medical assistance program under Chapter 32,
Human Resources Code; and
(3) the supplemental nutrition assistance program
under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code.
(b) If the commission implements the pilot program, the
commission shall require a person described by Subsection (a)(1) or
(3) to complete the course described by Subsection (a) as a
condition of continued eligibility for the applicable benefits.
(c) Not later than January 1, 2015, the commission shall
report to the legislature on the pilot program. The report must
include:
(1) an evaluation of the pilot program's success, if
the pilot program was implemented;
(2) an explanation of why the pilot program was not
determined to be cost-effective and feasible with available funds,
if the pilot program was not implemented; and
(3) a recommendation as to whether the pilot program
should be continued, expanded, or implemented in the future, as
applicable.
(d) The executive commissioner may adopt rules to implement
this section.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. Section 531.0995(b), Government Code, as added
by this Act, applies to a person for whom an initial determination
or recertification of eligibility for benefits under Chapter 31,
Human Resources Code, or Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is made
on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.