Bill Text: TX SB727 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to allowing certain inmates to apply for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to be provided at the time of discharge or release.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-13 - Co-author authorized [SB727 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB727-Introduced.html

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88R3393 BDP-D
By: West S.B. No. 727

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to allowing certain inmates to apply for supplemental
nutrition assistance program benefits to be provided at the time of
discharge or release.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 501.0167 to read as follows:
Sec. 501.0167. NOTICE TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION REGARDING SNAP BENEFITS. (a) At least 45 days but not
more than 60 days before an inmate is discharged or released on
parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, the
department shall notify the Health and Human Services Commission of
the inmate's upcoming discharge or release for purposes of applying
for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits as provided
by Section 33.0181, Human Resources Code.
(b) The notice provided under Subsection (a) must include
the date that the inmate will be discharged or released.
(c) The department shall coordinate with the Health and
Human Services Commission to determine:
(1) the method to be used by the department to provide
the notice required under Subsection (a); and
(2) the time, place, and manner for providing
application assistance and conducting the eligibility interview
described by Section 33.0181(b)(2), Human Resources Code.
SECTION 2. Section 33.015(b), Human Resources Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) For purposes of rules under Subsection (a)(2), a
hardship includes a situation in which a person is prevented from
personally appearing at commission offices because the person is:
(1) subject to a work or training schedule;
(2) subject to transportation difficulties;
(3) subject to other difficulties arising from the
person's residency in a rural area;
(4) subject to prolonged severe weather;
(5) ill; [or]
(6) needed to care for a member of the person's
household; or
(7) confined as an inmate in a facility operated by or
under contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 33.0181 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0181. APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN INMATES
NEARING ELIGIBILITY FOR DISCHARGE OR RELEASE; TIMING OF BENEFITS.
(a) Subject to Section 33.018, the commission, in cooperation with
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, shall establish a
procedure to accept and process supplemental nutrition assistance
program applications submitted by inmates who are confined in a
facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice for purposes of providing program benefits to the
inmates at the time of discharge or release.
(b) The commission shall as soon as practicable but not
later than the 30th day after the date the commission receives:
(1) a notice from the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice under Section 501.0167, Government Code, of the upcoming
discharge or release of an inmate:
(A) assist the inmate in filling out forms and
completing the application process; and
(B) coordinate with the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice to, in accordance with Section 33.015, conduct the
initial interview by telephone instead of through a personal
appearance; and
(2) a completed application for supplemental
nutrition assistance program benefits for an inmate, make a
determination regarding the inmate's eligibility for benefits at
the time of discharge or release.
(c) If the commission determines that an inmate is eligible
for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, the
commission shall begin providing benefits to the inmate at the time
of discharge or release.
(d) The commission may contract with community partners to
provide the application assistance required by this section.
(e) The executive commissioner, in consultation with the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, shall adopt rules to
implement this section.
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 immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.