§301. Legislative findings; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program educational
component; reporting requirements
A. The legislature finds and declares the following:
(1)The program formerly known as "food stamps" was renamed the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in October 2008. SNAP is administered at the federal
level by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and
at the state level by the Louisiana Department of Health, hereafter referred to as the
"department".
(2)SNAP is the cornerstone of the federal food assistance programs and provides
crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from public assistance
to work.
(3)By federal policy, SNAP benefits may be used only for the purchase of
nonalcoholic bev
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§301. Legislative findings; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program educational
component; reporting requirements
A. The legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) The program formerly known as "food stamps" was renamed the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in October 2008. SNAP is administered at the federal
level by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and
at the state level by the Louisiana Department of Health, hereafter referred to as the
"department".
(2) SNAP is the cornerstone of the federal food assistance programs and provides
crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from public assistance
to work.
(3) By federal policy, SNAP benefits may be used only for the purchase of
nonalcoholic beverages and food which is not hot at the point of sale and may not be used
to purchase any nonfood items.
(4) The population of Louisiana has historically encompassed one of the highest
proportions of SNAP recipients in the nation.
(5) Federal regulations allow states to administer educational services within the
SNAP program. Such services are known as SNAP Education, and are designed to teach
food budgeting, proper nutrition, and healthy food choices to SNAP recipients.
(6) It is the public policy of this state to support basic health, human welfare,
education, and self-sufficiency among its most vulnerable citizens. Effective educational
efforts, including nutrition education, are necessary for this state to promote better health and
break its historic cycle of generational poverty.
(7) A nurturing family affords a child his best opportunity to enjoy lifelong health
and well-being. Therefore, any program which promotes better health for children must
encourage family strengthening and greater parental involvement in the lives of their children
if the program is to fulfill its purpose.
B. In addition to any SNAP Education services conducted by contractors of the
department, the department shall provide printed nutrition education resource materials
directly to the heads of all SNAP beneficiary households. The department may develop or
utilize materials at its discretion in order to satisfy the provisions of this Subsection, provided
that such materials include the Core Nutrition Messages, or any successor resources,
developed by FNS. The department shall provide such materials to every head of a SNAP
beneficiary household at the following intervals:
(1) At the first issuance of a SNAP electronic benefits transfer card subsequent to
the initial determination of eligibility.
(2) In the first correspondence from the department subsequent to a redetermination
of eligibility.
(3) Any interval which the department deems advantageous and feasible.
C. In administering the SNAP Education program of this state, the department and
all subcontractors and affiliates of such program shall:
(1) Utilize the Core Nutrition Messages, or any successor resources, developed by
FNS.
(2) Coordinate outreach and educational efforts to the greatest possible extent with
those of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program of this state.
D. On or before March first annually, the department shall submit to the House
Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare a
comprehensive report on the SNAP Education Program. The report shall include but not be
limited to the following items:
(1) Analysis and commentary on major health challenges faced by low-income
Louisiana families.
(2) Data on SNAP Education participants, including a description of the ideal target
population, actual number of participants served, geographic distribution of participants, and
participant demographics.
(3) A description of program operations, including details on selection of
participants, service delivery, and activities conducted by all SNAP Education program
contractors and subcontractors.
(4) A description of any partnership with the WIC Program and efforts undertaken
in collaboration with that program.
(5) Analysis of program outcomes and other significant impacts to SNAP Education
service recipients.
(6) Public policy recommendations for enhancing the SNAP Education program and
for supporting better health and nutrition generally among low-income families of this state.
NOTE: Redesignated from R.S. 46:236.1 by Acts 2014, No. 533, §2(B) and Acts
2014, No. 622, §2(B), eff. Aug. 1, 2014.