[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6445 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6445
To modify nutrition programs to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 3, 2020
Mrs. Hayes (for herself and Mr. Neguse) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture,
Education and Labor, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To modify nutrition programs to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Food Assistance for Kids and
Families During COVID-19 Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Program.--The term ``program'' means the supplemental
nutrition assistance program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) Program Modifications.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary
shall--
(A) notify authorized program retailers of existing
opportunities through which retailers can deliver
groceries to program participants, including by--
(i) allowing an EBT card (as defined in
section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2012)) to be swiped on delivery of
groceries to the home (with a mobile device);
and
(ii) preparing groceries for pick-up;
(B) authorize public-private partnerships between
the Department of Agriculture, authorized program
retailers, and community-based organizations to support
grocery delivery, including through the use of private
funds; and
(C) in the case of an authorized program retailer
or a grocer that is unable to cover the cost of grocery
delivery for program participants, use funds made
available under paragraph (2) to support grocery
delivery for program participants who are seniors,
immunocompromised individuals, or other individuals who
are unable to travel safely to a grocery store.
(2) Funding for delivery.--
(A) In general.--There is appropriated to the
Secretary, out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, $500,000,000 to cover the cost of grocery
delivery under paragraph (1)(C).
(B) Emergency requirement.--The amount made
available under subparagraph (A) is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant
to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C.
901(b)(2)(A)(i)).
(C) Administration.--A State agency shall--
(i) pay for the cost of grocery delivery
under paragraph (1)(C) for an authorized
program retailer or grocer described in that
subparagraph; and
(ii) be reimbursed by the Secretary using
funds appropriated under subparagraph (A).
(D) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition
to the amount appropriated under subparagraph (A),
there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary such sums as are necessary to cover the cost
of grocery delivery under paragraph (1)(C).
(3) Termination of authority.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), the authority of the Secretary to carry out
paragraphs (1) and (2) shall terminate on the date on
which the national emergency declared by the President
under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et
seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) is terminated.
(B) Reimbursement.--The Secretary may reimburse
State agencies under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) after the
date described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Return of funds.--The Secretary shall return to
the Treasury any funds appropriated under paragraph
(2)(A) that have not been used or obligated under
paragraph (2)(C)(ii) by the date described in
subparagraph (A).
SEC. 3. SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
(a) Certification of Infants.--
(1) Definition of infant.--Section 17(b) of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)) is amended by
striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
``(5) Infant.--The term `infant' means--
``(A) a person under 1 year of age; and
``(B) for purposes of subsection (d), a person
under 2 years of age.''.
(2) Certification.--Section 17(d)(3)(A) of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(iv) Infants.--
``(I) In general.--A State may
elect to certify an infant for a period
of not more than 2 years.
``(II) Assessments.--In certifying
an infant under subclause (I), a State
shall ensure that the infant receives
required health and nutrition
assessments.''.
(b) Extension of Postpartum Period.--
(1) Breastfeeding women.--
(A) Definition of breastfeeding woman.--Section
17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(1) Breastfeeding woman.--The term `breastfeeding woman'
means--
``(A) a woman who is not more than 1 year
postpartum and is breastfeeding the infant of the
woman; and
``(B) for purposes of subsection (d), a woman who
is not more than 2 years postpartum and is
breastfeeding the infant of the woman.''.
(B) Certification.--Section 17(d)(3)(A)(ii) of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786(d)(3)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking ``1 year''
and all that follows through ``earlier'' and inserting
``not more than 2 years postpartum''.
(2) Postpartum women.--
(A) Definition of postpartum woman.--Section 17(b)
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b))
is amended by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the
following:
``(10) Postpartum woman.--The term `postpartum woman'
means--
``(A) a woman up to 6 months after termination of
pregnancy; and
``(B) for purposes of subsection (d), a woman up to
2 years after termination of pregnancy.''.
(B) Certification.--Section 17(d)(3)(A) of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A))
(as amended by subsection (a)(2)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(v) Postpartum women.--A State may elect
to certify a postpartum woman for a period of
up to 2 years after the termination of
pregnancy of the postpartum woman.''.
SEC. 4. WAIVER OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS.
Section 301 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5141) is amended by inserting ``or
emergency'' after ``major disaster'' each place the term appears.
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