By: Raymond, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Nelson) H.B. No. 3401
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 9, 2013;
May 9, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
and Human Services; May 15, 2013, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 15, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to nutrition and wellness education 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. (a) This
section applies to individuals receiving benefits under:
(1) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31,
Human Resources Code;
(2) the medical assistance program under Chapter 32,
Human Resources Code; or
(3) the supplemental nutrition assistance program
under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code.
(b) The commission shall work with community-based
organizations to encourage individuals receiving benefits to
access readily available and existing online information and
programs, including information provided on the commission's
website, that provide nutrition and wellness education for the
purpose of promoting healthy eating habits and a physically active
lifestyle.
(c) Not later than January 1, 2015, the commission shall
report to the legislature on the use of nutrition and wellness
education information provided on the commission's website. The
report must include:
(1) feedback from clients on the effectiveness of the
information accessed; and
(2) any available data on the number of individuals
who accessed the information.
(d) The executive commissioner may adopt rules to implement
this section.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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