Public Act 0620 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0351 Enrolled LRB100 05063 KTG 15073 b

Public Act 100-0620

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 12-4.13b as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/12-4.13b new)

Sec. 12-4.13b. College student eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits.

(a) For the purposes of Section 273.5(b)(11)(ii) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, an educational program offered at a community college under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-270) that could be a component of a SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, as identified by the Department of Human Services, shall be considered an employment and training program under Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, unless prohibited by federal law.

(b) The Department of Human Services, in consultation with representatives of the Illinois Community College Board, ISAC, the Illinois Workforce Investment Board, and advocates for students and SNAP recipients, shall establish a protocol to identify and verify all potential exemptions to the eligibility rule described in Section 273.5(a) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and to identify and verify a student's participation in educational programs, including, but not limited to, self-initiated placements, that would exempt a student from the eligibility rule described in Section 273.5(a) of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations. To the extent possible, this consultation shall take place through existing workgroups convened by the Department of Human Services.

(c) If the United States Department of Agriculture requires federal approval of the exemption designation established pursuant to subsection (a) and the protocol established pursuant to subsection (b), the Department of Human Services shall seek and obtain that approval before publishing the guidance or regulation required by subsection (e).

(d)(1) This Section does not require the Department of Human Services to offer a particular component, support services, or workers' compensation to a college student found eligible for an exemption pursuant to this Section.

(2) This Section does not restrict or require the use of federal funds for the financing of SNAP E&T programs.

(3) This Section does not require an institution of higher education to verify eligibility for SNAP.

(e) The Department of Human Services shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d).

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.