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A02240 Summary:

BILL NOA02240
 
SAME ASSAME AS S01628
 
SPONSORHyndman
 
COSPNSRColton, Williams, Zaccaro, Forrest
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Amd §206, Pub Health L
 
Waives certain requirements of the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children during a state of emergency declared as a result of a public health crisis, including: allowing any unused portions of any monthly allowances to carry over from month to month; increasing the amount of the monetary limit of not less than sixty percent for the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables.
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A02240 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A2240
 
SPONSOR: Hyndman
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health to waive certain requirements of the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children during a state of emergency declared as a result of a public health crisis   PURPOSE: To ensure that flexibility is built into certain requirements of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) that will apply during a public health crisis.   SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Amends Section 206 of the Public Health Law to provide the Commissioner of Health with the power to add flexibility to the WIC program in the following ways: (1)Program participants must be able to carry over voucher allotments from month to month, instead of the present practice of monthly expira- tion; (2)Program participants must be given the flexibility to purchase addi- tional supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables, by increasing the mone- tary limit by at least 60% (to at least $15.00), as supply issues and the lack of affordability due to COVID-19 persist; (3)Any other requirements of the program that the Commissioner decides is in the best interest of beneficiaries.   JUSTIFICATION: The COVID-19 Pandemic has touched every facet of our life, including the very nature of how we shop as consumers and how the supply chain inter- acts with merchants. Many WIC customers have been denied benefits because stores were literally out of a product, charging high process for fruits and vegetables, and with each store having limited hours, long lines, social distancing protocols and restrictions on bringing children to shop with you, many individuals are being denied their WIC benefits at the time when they need them the absolute most. This legis- lation gives the Health Commissioner necessary flexibility to address on the ground issues that persist due to the public health pandemic.   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: To be determined.   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.
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