GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1526

Short Title:  Hunger Programs Studies.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Nye, Adams, Alexander, Earle, Goodwin, Luebke, Womble; and Barefoot.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

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May 15, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE SCHOOL LUNCH, SCHOOL BREAKFAST, AND SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAMS AND TO MODIFY IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE PROGRAMS AS ALLOWED UNDER CURRENT LAW; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE FOOD STAMPS PROGRAM AND TO MODIFY IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT PROGRAM AS ALLOWED UNDER CURRENT LAW.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the statewide system of food banks, the North Carolina Hunger Network, the North Carolina Nutrition Network, and other State and local agencies, shall study the School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.  This study shall specifically include a study of the reasons for underutilization of the programs.  The Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Health and Human Services shall take any actions authorized under current law to increase participation in these programs before the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year.  The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction shall report on any actions taken under this section and shall make any recommendations on changes to current law to the Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission by October 1, 2000.
Section 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the statewide system of food banks, the North Carolina Hunger Network, the North Carolina Nutrition Network, and other State and local agencies, shall conduct a comprehensive study of the Food Stamps Program, specifically focusing on reasons for the underutilization of the program.  This study shall include inquiry into the following areas:
(1)	The feasibility of additional outreach efforts to inform the public of the requirements and availability of food stamps.
(2)	The feasibility of extended business hours for local departments of social services to facilitate the process of obtaining food stamps.
(3)	The feasibility of ending automatic termination of food stamps when the individual or family no longer receives Work First cash assistance; thereby providing a transition period while the family moves toward economic independence.
The Department shall identify any actions which may be taken under current law to increase participation in the Food Stamps Program and implement those actions as soon as practicable.  The Department shall report on efforts under this section to the Joint Legislative Public Assistance Commission by October 1, 2000.
Section 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.