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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 781/GA
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AN ACT relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment 1
and Training state plan. 2
WHEREAS, high workforce participation is directly tied to a healthy and nourished 3
populace; and 4
WHEREAS, maximizing the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 5
(SNAP) benefits spent on healthy and nourishing food options makes the preferred 6
healthy choice also the most economical choice and ultimately increases the overall 7
health of Kentuckians; and 8
WHEREAS, SNAP Employment and Training programs are available to eligible 9
SNAP beneficiaries in all 120 Kentucky counties; and 10
WHEREAS, the federal government provides 100 percent matching grants for 11
qualified private partner-funded SNAP Employment and Training programs; and 12
WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes an opportunity, through the 13
Commonwealth's SNAP Employment and Training state plan, for public -private 14
partnerships across the Commonwe alth to provide both employment training and 15
nutrition incentives; and 16
WHEREAS, the General Assembly is committed to bringing potential partners to 17
the table through a working group of public and private entities across the 18
Commonwealth to explore all opti ons for increasing workforce engagement as well as 19
healthy incentive programs under the SNAP Employment and Training state plan; 20
NOW, THEREFORE, 21
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 22
Section 1. KRS 205.2003 is amended to read as follows: 23
(1) The secretary shall promulgate[by] administrative regulations in accordance 24
with[subject to the provisions of] KRS Chapter 13A to develop a work program for 25
recipients of public assistance under Title IV -A of the Federal Social Security Act 26
to provide for immediate employment or preparation for employment. 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 781/GA
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(2) The self-sufficiency of participants shall be the primary goal of the work program. [ 1
] Participants shall bear the ultimate responsibility in pursuit of this goal. 2
(3) In partnership with participants, the cabinet shall assess their strengths and needs 3
and provide supportive services to assist in the pursuit of work and self-sufficiency. 4
(4) The cabinet shall: 5
(a) Develop and implement initiatives under Kentucky's Supplemental 6
Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training state plan, 7
established in accorda nce with 7 C.F.R. sec. 273.7, to promote improved 8
employment outcomes and workforce participation. The initiatives shall: 9
1. Be related to healthy workforce habits among eligible individuals; 10
2. Include establishing partnerships with public and private ent ities, 11
including but not limited to workforce boards, educational institutions, 12
employers, and community organizations; 13
3. Include partner-funded programs supporting household food security 14
and improved nutrition, including but not limited to an incentive 15
program for the purpose of increasing the purchase and consumption 16
of nutritious foods both at work and at home; 17
4. Include job readiness, occupational training, and work-based learning 18
opportunities; 19
5. Implement employment assessment and individualized e mployment 20
planning; and 21
6. Include case management and employment navigation services; 22
(b) To the extent allowable by federal law, utilize federal Supplemental 23
Nutrition Assistance Program matching grant funds as provided in 7 C.F.R. 24
sec. 273.7(d); 25
(c) On or before December 1, 2026, pursue any federal approvals necessary to 26
implement the initiatives, including a submission of a state plan amendment 27
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to Kentucky's federally approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 1
Program Employment and Training state plan; and 2
(d) Submit a report to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the 3
Interim Joint Committee on Health Services and appear before the Interim 4
Joint Committee on Health Services annually to update the members of the 5
committee regarding progra m participation levels, employment outcomes, 6
healthy workforce outcomes, federal fund draw downs, and program 7
impacts. 8