88R10196 SCP-D
By: Howard H.B. No. 4021
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain students enrolled in a
postsecondary educational institution for the supplemental
nutrition assistance 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 Section 33.020 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.020. 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 commission shall, as authorized under 7 U.S.C.
Section 2015(o)(6), provide an exemption from work requirements to
provide supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to an
individual who is:
(1) ineligible to receive supplemental nutrition
assistance program benefits based solely on the work requirements;
and
(2) enrolled as a student in a postsecondary
educational institution.
(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to
implement this section, including rules that 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.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2024, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 33.020, Human
Resources Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Section 33.020, Human Resources Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to an initial determination or
recertification of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition
assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, that is
made on or after the effective date of this Act. A determination or
recertification made before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the determination or
recertification was made, and the former law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 4. 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 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.