BILL NUMBER: S8384

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the
commissioner of health to waive certain requirements of the special
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children during a
state of emergency declared as a result of a public health crisis

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure that flexibility is built in to certain requirements of the
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
(WIC) that will apply during a public health crisis.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Amends Section 206 of the Public Health Law to provide the Commissioner
of Health with the power to add flexibility to the WIC program in the
following ways:
              

(1)Program participants must be able to carry over voucher allotments
from month to month, instead of the present practice of monthly expira-
tion;

(2)Program participants must be given the flexibility to purchase addi-
tional supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables, by increasing the mone-
tary limit by at least 60% (to at least $15.00), as supply issues and
the lack of affordability due to COVID19 persist;

(3)Any other requirements of the program that the Commissioner decides
is in the best interest of beneficiaries.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The COVID-19 Pandemic has touched every facet of our life, including the
very nature of how we shop as consumers and how the supply chain inter-
acts with merchants. Many WIC customers have been denied benefits
because stores were literally out of a product, charging high process
for fruits and vegetables, and with each store having limited hours,
long lines, social distancing protocols and restrictions on bringing
children to shop with you, many individuals are being denied their WIC
benefits at the time when they need them the absolute most. This legis-
lation gives the Health Commissioner necessary flexibility to address on
the ground issues that persist due to the public health pandemic.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.