HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1188
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that according to a data brief published by the university of Hawaii, overall food insecurity in the State is estimated to be twenty-two per cent, with "the age of those reporting food insecurity [being] younger than their food secure counterparts." Further, the university of Hawaii also found that, thirty-one per cent of students and homemakers were food insecure, exceeding the state average by approximately nine per cent. The data brief also noted that "[a]mong those reporting being food insecure, only small percentages actually access" the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services to establish a state corollary to the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program for certain higher education students.

SECTION 2. The department of human services shall establish a state corollary to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for any student in the State who:

(1) Is enrolled more than half-time in an institution of higher education; and

(2) Otherwise satisfies all other applicable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility requirements.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for program establishment, operation, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program corollary benefit funding.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DHS; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Eligibility; Exemption; Rules; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a state corollary to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for certain higher education students. Appropriates moneys.

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