OLR Bill Analysis

HB 6401

AN ACT CONCERNING THE FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SUMMARY:

This bill makes the statutory changes necessary to reflect the change in the federal Food Stamp program's name to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The 2008 federal “Farm Bill” changed the program's name, effective October 1, 2008. This program provides federally funded food assistance to low-income individuals and families in the form of electronic benefits on a debit-type card. The Department of Social Services (DSS) administers Connecticut's program.

To avoid confusion, the bill changes the name of another DSS program. Currently, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a state-funded program that provides funds for the purchase of high protein and other nutritionally beneficial supplemental foods for soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. The bill renames this program the Supplemental Nutrition Commodities Assistance Program.

It is not clear whether replacing the Food Stamp program's name in the statutes governing fraud and recoveries would preclude the state from pursuing fraudulent claims for benefits provided under the old name. The bill also removes statutory references to the now-defunct Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, which the Temporary Family Assistance replaced in 1997. Removing these may prevent the state from recovering assistance fraudulently paid before that program's name changed.

Finally, the bill removes obsolete language regarding sales tax for items purchased with Food Stamps. The law, unchanged by the bill, exempts these purchases from the state sales tax.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

COMMITTEE ACTION

Human Services Committee

Joint Favorable