RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

HB687

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

687

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

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:

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SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding four new sections to part II to be appropriately designated
and to read as follows:

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"
�346-A
�
Supplemental
nutrition assistance program; ineligible households.

�
The
department shall exercise its option under federal regulations to prorate or
exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the
supplemental nutrition assistance program by:

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(1)
�
Counting only
the proportionate share of income from those household members ineligible for
the supplemental nutrition assistance program due to immigration status or
other federally permitted exclusion criteria, as allowed under federal
regulations; and

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(2)
�
Ensuring that
household benefit calculations are completed in a manner that does not unduly
penalize eligible household members.

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�
346-B
�
Supplemental nutrition assistance program;
standard medical deduction.
�
(a)
�
Pursuant to federal guidance, the department
shall establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or
disabled household members, as defined under federal regulations, who incur
medical expenses above the federal minimum threshold.
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The department shall apply a standard medical
expense deduction for all eligible households, in lieu of requiring
verification of actual medical expenses, to the extent allowed by federal law.

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(b)
�
Households with documented medical expenses
exceeding the standard deduction may opt to claim actual medical expenses.

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�
346-C
�
Supplemental nutrition assistance program;
pre‑release application program.
�

(a)
�
In accordance with federal
guidance, the department shall establish a pre-release supplemental nutrition
assistance program application process for individuals who are incarcerated and
scheduled for release.
�
The department
shall:

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(1)
�
Partner with
correctional facilities to identify eligible individuals within a specified
time frame before their release date;

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(2)
�
Facilitate the
completion and submission of supplemental nutrition assistance program applications
so that benefits, if approved, are available immediately upon or shortly after
release;

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(3)
�
Provide
information, counseling, and assistance with supplemental nutrition assistance
program eligibility criteria to incarcerated individuals transitioning back
into the community;

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(4)
�
Seek any
necessary federal waivers, approvals, or clarifications to effectuate this
section; and

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(5)
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Comply with all
applicable federal rules governing supplemental nutrition assistance program
application and eligibility processes, ensuring that no benefits are issued to
an incarcerated individual before their release.

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(b)
�
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 91 for the purposes of this section.

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�346-D
�
Supplemental nutrition assistance program;
reports.
�
The department shall submit an
annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of each regular session, beginning with the regular session of
2026.
�
The annual report shall include:

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(1)
�
Data on the implementation
and utilization of the supplemental nutrition program options established
pursuant to sections 346-A, 346-B, and 346-C, including the number and
characteristics of participating households;

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(2)
�
The
administrative costs savings or changes resulting from the adoption of these
options;

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(3)
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An analysis of
the impact of these options on participation rates in the State's supplemental
nutrition assistance program and benefit adequacy; and

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(4)
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Recommendations
for any proposed changes or improvements.
"

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SECTION
2
.
�
Section
346-53.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

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"
[
[
]�346-53.3[
]
]
�

Temporary assistance for needy families and [
food stamps
]
supplemental
nutrition assistance program
for individuals with a felony conviction [
which
]

that
has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a
controlled substance.
�
[
Section
]

(a)
�
For purposes of temporary
assistance for needy families, section
115(a) of Public Law 104-193 shall
not apply in Hawaii to persons who are complying with treatment or who have not
refused or failed to comply with treatment.

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(b)
�
For purposes of the supplemental nutrition
assistance program, section 115(a) of Public Law 104-193 shall not apply in
Hawaii.
"

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SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

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SECTION
4.
�
In codifying the new sections added
by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate
section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this
Act.

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SECTION 5.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 6.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program; Ineligible Income; Drug Felony Ban; Standard
Medical Deduction; Pre-release Application Form; DHS

Description:

For the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, requires the Department of Human
Services to:
�
(1) prorate or exclude
certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Program; (2)
establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or
disabled household members; (3) establish a pre-release Program application
form for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and (4)
report to the Legislature.
�
Specifies
that, for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the
federal restriction of providing Program benefits to certain individuals does
not apply in Hawaii.

The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.