Food Stamp Outreach and Research for Kids Act of 1999
HR 2738 IH
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2738
To amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to improve onsite inspections
of State food stamp programs, to provide grants to develop community partnerships
and innovative outreach strategies for food stamp and related programs,
and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 5, 1999
Mr. COYNE (for himself and Mr. LEVIN) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee
on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to improve onsite inspections
of State food stamp programs, to provide grants to develop community partnerships
and innovative outreach strategies for food stamp and related programs,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Food Stamp Outreach
and Research for Kids Act of 1999'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Sec. 101. Food stamp participation.
Sec. 102. Food stamp inspections.
Sec. 103. Caseworker materials demonstration program.
Sec. 105. Grants for community partnerships and innovative outreach
strategies.
Sec. 106. Demonstration projects for online and phone participation
in food stamp program.
Sec. 107. Nutrition information.
Sec. 108. Comptroller General study.
TITLE II--FOOD STAMP INFORMATION THROUGH TANF PROGRAM AND TAX CREDIT
Sec. 201. Information provided to individuals regarding eligibility
under food stamp program.
Sec. 202. Credit for expansion of toll-free information number.
TITLE I--FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
SEC. 101. FOOD STAMP PARTICIPATION.
Section 11(e)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2020 (e)(1))
is amended by striking `at the option of the State agency.'.
SEC. 102 FOOD STAMP INSPECTIONS.
Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
`(1) Food stamp inspections-
`(1) MANDATORY INSPECTIONS- Effective during the 5-year period beginning
on the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall carry
out an annual onsite inspection or review of the operation of the food
stamp program by each State agency.
`(2) VISIT- In conducting any annual onsite inspection or review described
in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include as part of the inspection
or review visits to State and local agency offices and consultation with
current or former clients and community groups.'.
SEC. 103. CASEWORKER TRAINING DEMONSTRATION.
Section 18 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
`(g) Caseworker Demonstration Program-
(1) There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for the 2000 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter for the Secretary
to conduct a demonstration program,
through State agencies and in consultation with State caseworkers, to develop
training materials, guidebooks, and other resources focusing on issues
of access and eligibility for the Food Stamp Program for use by State caseworkers.'.
SEC. 104. STUDIES.
Section 18 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2027) (as amended
in section 103) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(1) IN GENERAL- There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for the 2000 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter
for the Secretary, through the Food and Nutrition Service, to conduct studies
to measure Food Stamp Program impacts and integrity to assist in formulating
nutrition policy and to assess the potential costs and benefits of legislative
proposals.
`(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Two years after the date of enactment of this
subsection, the Secretary shall report the results of such studies to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.'.
SEC. 105. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATIVE OUTREACH STRATEGIES.
Section 18 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2027) (as amended
by Section 104) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(i) GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATIVE OUTREACH STRATEGIES-
`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish a program to
award grants to eligible organizations described in paragraph (2)--
`(A) to develop and test innovative strategies to ensure that low-income,
needy families that are former or current recipients of benefits under
a State program established under part A of title IV of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) continue to receive benefits under this Act;
`(B) to help ensure that families that have applied for benefits under
a State program established under part A of title IV of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), but that did not receive the benefits because
of State diversion strategies or ineligibility for the benefits, are aware
of the availability of, and are provided assistance in receiving, benefits
under this Act;
`(C) to place special emphasis on conducting outreach to families with
earned income that is at or above the income eligibility limits for benefits
under a State program established under part A of title IV of the Social
Security Act; and
`(D) to conduct outreach to families with children.
`(2) ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Grants under paragraph (1) may be awarded to--
`(i) food banks, food rescue, faith-based, and other community-based
programs, except that the total amount awarded to such organizations shall
be not less than 15 percent of the aggregate amount of grants awarded under
this subsection;
`(ii) schools, health clinics, non-profit day care centers, Head Start
programs carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.),
Healthy Start programs carried out under section 301 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241), agencies providing assistance under the special
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established
under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), and
other organizations conducting Medicaid and CHIP outreach, except that
the total amount awarded to such organizations, shall not be less than
15 percent of the aggregate amount of grants awarded under this subsection;
`(iii) State and political subdivisions of States;
`(iv) child nutrition programs (as defined in section 25(b) of the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769f(b)); and
`(v) other organizations designated by the
Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Health
and Human Services.
`(B) GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF RECIPIENTS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary of Agriculture,
in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall
select, from all eligible applications received, at least 1 recipient to
receive a grant under this section from each USDA region and each additional
rural or urban area determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture,
in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
`(ii) EXCEPTION- The Secretary of Agriculture may not select grant
recipients under clause (i) if the Secretary determines that an insufficient
number of eligible grant applications has been received.
`(3) SELECTION- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall develop criteria for
selecting recipients of grants under paragraph (1) that include the consideration
of--
`(A) the demonstrated track record of an organization in serving low
income populations;
`(B) the ability of an organization to reach hard-to-serve populations;
`(C) the level of innovation in the proposals submitted in the application
of an organization for a grant; and
`(D) the development of partnerships between the public and private
sector entities and linkages with the community.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall administer the grant
program under this section.
`(B) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS- Not more than 5 percent of funds made available
for the grant program shall be used by the Secretary of Agriculture or
the Secretary of Health and Human Services for administrative costs.
`(C) Program evaluations-
`(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall jointly conduct evaluations of programs
funded by grants under this section.
`(ii) LIMITATION- Not more than 20 percent of funds made available
for the grant program shall be used for program evaluations described in
clause(i).'.
SEC. 106. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR ONLINE AND TELEPHONE PARTICIPATION
IN FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.
Section 18 of the Food Stamp Act (7 U.S.C. 2027) (as amended by Section
105) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(j) ONLINE AND TELEPHONE PARTICIPATION IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM-
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for
the 2000 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter for the Secretary
to conduct demonstration projects to evaluate the feasibility and desirability
of allowing eligible households to participate in the food stamp program
through the use of the Internet and telephones.'.
SEC. 107. NUTRITION INFORMATION.
Section 18 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2027) (as amended
by section 106) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(k) Nutrition Information-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall--
`(A) facilitate partnerships to provide information on nutrition programs
described in paragraph (3); and
`(B) maintain a toll-free information number for individuals to call
to obtain information concerning the nutrition programs.
`(A) IN GENERAL- To carry out paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall
facilitate partnerships composed of--
`(i) public agencies and organizations; and
`(ii) entities and organizations from the private sector; and
`(iii) states and political subdivisions of
states.
`(B) TAX CREDIT- An entity or organization that participates in a partnership
under this section to maintain the toll-free information numbers described
in paragraph (1)(B) shall be eligible to receive a tax credit as provided
in section 45D of part IV of subchapter A of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (relating to business related credits).
`(3) INFORMATION- In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall
provide--
`(A) information concerning all Federal nutrition programs, including
the food stamp program and child nutrition programs (as defined in section
25(b) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769f(b));
`(B) information which complies with all provisions of the Food Stamp
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(1)) regarding access for non-English speakers;
`(C) access to an individual to provide information and clarification
that is available through an automated phone information system.'.
SEC. 108. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY.
(1) CATALOGUE OF STATE ACTIVITIES- The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study of State outreach efforts, including extended
hours for working families. On-site investigations shall be used to verify
when extended hours are held, how often, and how such hours are advertised
to eligible families.
(2) REPORT- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall report his findings to the Committee
on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the Finance Committee
of the Senate, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives,
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.'.
TITLE II--FOOD STAMP INFORMATION THROUGH TANF PROGRAM AND TAX CREDIT
SEC. 201. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS REGARDING ELIGIBILITY UNDER
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.
(a) Development of Model State TANF Program Application-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop
a model application for receiving benefits under a State TANF program (as
defined in subsection (e)).
(B) INFORMATION REGARDING ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMPS- The first page
of the model application shall clearly inform an applicant that the applicant
may be eligible for benefits under the food stamp program under the Food
Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), and inform the applicant on
procedures for applying for benefits at the appropriate State agency, even
if the applicant--
(i) is determined to be ineligible for benefits under a State TANF
program;
(ii) receives benefits under such a program and is subsequently terminated
from such a program; or
(iii) is receiving a diversion payment under such a program.
(2) VOLUNTARY USE BY STATES- Use of the model application by the State
agency or agencies that administer and supervise a State TANF progam shall
be on a voluntary basis.
(b) DEVELOPMENT OF NOTICE REGARDING POTENTIAL CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY
UNDER FOOD STAMP PROGRAM-
(1) DEVELOPMENT- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation
with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop a 1-page notice that provides
an applicable individual with the information described in subsection (a)(1)(B).
(A) VOLUNTARY USE- Subject to subparagraph (B), use of the notice by
the State agency or agencies that administer and supervise a State TANF
program shall be on a voluntary basis.
(i) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines
(for any period) that a State is providing the information described in
subsection (a)(1)(B) to less than 75 percent of applicable individuals,
such State shall provide the notice to all applicable individuals until
such time as the State demonstrates to the Secretary that the State is
providing such information to such percentage of applicable individuals.
(ii) APPLICABLE INDIVIDUAL DEFINED- For purposes of this subparagraph,
the term `applicable individual' means an individual--
(I) who is determined to be ineligible for benefits under a State TANF
program;
(II) whose benefits under such a program have terminated; or
(III) who is receiving a diversion payment under such a program.
(c) FORM- The model application developed pursuant to subsection (a)
and the notice developed pursuant to subsection (b) shall use language
that is concise and easily understandable by applicants under a State TANF
program.
(d) DISTRIBUTION- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
distribute the model application developed pursuant to subsection (a) and
the notice developed pursuant to subsection (b) to the State agency or
agencies that administer and supervise a State TANF program.
(e) DEFINITION OF STATE TANF PROGRAM- In this section, the term `State
TANF program' means State programs established under part A of title IV
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
SEC. 202. CREDIT FOR EXPANSION OF TOLL-FREE INFORMATION NUMBER.
(a) TAX CREDIT- Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 45D. CREDIT FOR EXPANSION OF TOLL-FREE INFORMATION NUMBER.
`For purposes of section 38, the toll-free information number credit
of any taxpayer for any taxable year is 10 percent of the expenses paid
or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year as a participant in
the partnership described in section 17(o)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2026(o)(2)).'.
(b) CREDIT TREATED AS BUSINESS CREDIT- Section 38(b)of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to current year business credit) is amended
by striking `plus' at the end of paragraph (11), by striking the period
at the end of paragraph (12) and inserting `, plus', and by adding at the
end the following:
`(13) the toll-free information number credit determined under section
45D.'.
(c) TRANSITIONAL RULE- Section 39(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to transitional rules) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`(9) NO CARRYBACK OF SECTION 45D CREDIT BEFORE EFFECTIVE DATE- No portion
of the unused business credit for any taxable year which is attributable
to the credit allowable under section 45D may be carried back to a taxable
year ending before the date of the enactment of such section.'.
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections for subpart D of part
IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`Sec. 45D. Credit for expansion of toll-free number.'.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall apply
to payments made or incurred in taxable years beginning after the date
of enactment of this Act.
END