By: Walle H.B. No. 2126
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance
program and the provision of employment and training services under
the program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Sections 33.0007 and 33.021 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0007. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS OF SNAP
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES. (a) The Health and Human
Services Commission shall contract with one or more third-party
service providers to provide supplemental nutrition assistance
program employment and training services. The Health and Human
Services Commission shall prioritize contracting with a
third-party service provider that:
(1) expands the types and varieties of those services
available to a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits; and
(2) has a demonstrated record of preparing individuals
for entry into workforce industries with a high demand for skilled
labor.
(b) In contracting with a third-party service provider, the
Health and Human Services Commission, shall ensure the terms of the
contract are designed in a manner that maximizes this state's
receipt of all available federal matching money for supplemental
nutrition assistance program employment and training services.
Sec. 33.021. SNAP ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED
IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) In this section,
"postsecondary educational institution" includes:
(1) an institution of higher education or a private or
independent institution of higher education as defined by Section
61.003, Education Code; and
(2) a career school or college as defined by Section
132.001, Education Code.
(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules consistent
with federal law to provide supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits to students enrolled in a postsecondary educational
institution. The rules must:
(1) identify the types of postsecondary degrees or
programs in which a student must be enrolled to qualify for
supplemental nutrition assistance benefits, including
participation in any work placement or unpaid internship associated
with a postsecondary educational institution; and
(2) ensure a student remains eligible for supplemental
nutrition assistance benefits during a break in the semester or
academic term of the postsecondary educational institution in which
the student is enrolled.
(c) The executive commissioner shall establish a work group
to provide input for the adoption of rules under Subsection (b). In
adopting the rules, the executive commissioner shall consider the
work group's input.
(d) The work group is composed of at least 9 but not more
than 13 members who are representatives of:
(1) postsecondary educational institutions; or
(2) non-profit organizations serving low-income
individuals.
(e) The executive commissioner shall ensure members of the
work group represent various types of postsecondary educational
institutions located throughout this state. The executive
commissioner shall appoint one work group member to serve as
presiding officer.
(f) The work group is automatically abolished on the
adoption of rules under Subsection (b).
(g) Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) and this subsection
expire September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 31, 2021, the
executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission
shall establish the work group required by Section 33.021, Human
Resources Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than December 31, 2022, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
adopt the rules required by Section 33.021, Human Resources Code,
as added by 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, 2021.