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HB615 - An Act amending the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.234, No.76), known as the Donated Food Limited Liability Act, further providing for donor immunity.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Tarik Khan (D) |
| Summary: |
(PN 628) Amends the Donated Food Limited Liability Act, further providing for donor immunity. Removes wording relating to “charitable or religious organization.” Expands the current immunity from civil and criminal liability to explicitly apply to the donation of food that has exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended label code date but is still fit for human consumption. Effective immediately. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HB621 - An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offense of benefit transfer device fraud.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Doyle Heffley (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 632) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), in forgery and fraudulent practices, providing for the offense of benefit transfer device fraud. Defines benefit transfer device fraud as an unauthorized alien possessing or using a benefit transfer device. Provides for separate offenses and grading. Provides definitions for “benefit transfer device” and “unauthorized alien.” Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HB681 - An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for health services, for reports and for interagency coordinating council for child health, nutrition and physical education.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D) |
| Summary: |
(PN 695) Amends the Public School Code, in school health services, further providing for health services, for reports and for interagency coordinating council for child health, nutrition and physical education. Provides for student confidentiality. Exempts a student from height and weight measurement if the student’s parent or guardian requests an exemption in writing. Does not permit height and weight measurements to be calculated and reported as body mass index (BMI) and asserts that they may only be reported as aggregate information from a scientifically drawn sample of students in a manner that protects student confidentiality. Includes the Department of Human Services (DHS) secretary as a member of the interagency Coordinating Council for Child Health, Nutrition and Physical Education. Requires council to include recommendations from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) education program. Mandates the final report to be available on the websites of DHS, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (PDE) and Department of Agriculture (PDA). Effective immediately. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HB749 - An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for distribution of SNAP benefits.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. David Madsen (D) |
| Summary: |
(PN 1332) Amends the Human Services Code, in public assistance, adding a section to provide for the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to analyze SNAP payment distribution schedules based on caseloads and census data and to prepare a report on whether changes are needed to the payment distribution schedule within 12 months of the effective date and every five years thereafter. Specifies to whom DHS shall submit a copy of the report within 15 days of the completion of the report. Requires DHS to post the report on its website within 30 days of the completion of the report. Mandates DHS develop and implement updates to the payment distribution schedule based on the analysis after consultation with an advisory committee if changes are needed. Directs DHS to transmit the proposed updates in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin before the updates are submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service for approval. Requires DHS to ensure that the updated distribution schedule is posted on its website upon federal approval. Effective in 60 days. (Prior PN: 756)
(PN 756) Amends the Human Services Code, in public assistance, adding a section to provide for the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct a study of Pennsylvania’s SNAP payment distribution schedules by analyzing caseloads, U.S. Census data and other states that issue payments over more than 10 days. Further directs DHS to develop SNAP payment schedules that work effectively and efficiently for all Pennsylvanians. Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HB764 - An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the Fresh Food Financing Initiative; establishing the Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Danilo Burgos (D) |
| Summary: |
(PN 788) Amends Title 3 (Agriculture), providing for the Fresh Food Financing Initiative; establishing the Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture (PDA). Provides definitions. Mandates that the program be administered by PDA. Directs the department to develop and establish program guidelines and eligibility criteria. Directs that the program will promote local agricultural products by placing priority on projects producing, aggregating, sourcing or selling Pennsylvania agricultural commodities. Provides that grants for capital projects must be matched by private money in an amount equal to the state grant. Asserts that no more than 10% of the funding may be reserved for administrative and operational costs. Provides criteria for eligible applicants. Provides for eligible uses. Directs the department to devise, award and administer grants to eligible applicants. Directs the department to establish standards and requirements. Provides for limitation on grants. Permits the department to promulgate rules and regulations. Provides that the account is established in the General Fund. Provides for supplements to the account from outside sources. Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO247 - PA Food Bucks Program for SNAP Recipients
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to establish the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO291 - Requiring State Agencies to Provide Live Phone Services
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Joe Ciresi (D) |
| Summary: |
Requires state agencies to have live phone services available on their public lines. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO312 - Uniform Schedule for SNAP Benefits
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. David Madsen (D) |
| Summary: |
Requires Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be distributed according to a single schedule across the entire state. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO355 - Studying Food Waste in Pennsylvania
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. G. Roni Green (D) |
| Summary: |
Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility of requiring food waste recycling for businesses based on the Commonwealth’s current infrastructure. Includes recommendations for how to improve access to food waste recycling in Pennsylvania.
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| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO406 - Dignity for Incarcerated Women: Healthy Inmate Reentry (Former HB1469)
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Regina G. Young (D) |
| Summary: |
Codifies the current medical assistance application assistance in state law and expands it to other state and federal benefit programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), home heating assistance, long-term living services, and subsidized childcare. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO613 - Limited Liability for Donating Food Past Recommended Label Codes
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Tarik Khan (D) |
| Summary: |
Expands the current immunity from civil and criminal liability to explicitly apply to the donation of food that has exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended label code date, but is still fit for human consumption |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO693 - Securing EBT Card Transactions with Authorized Users
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Ryan Warner (R) |
| Summary: |
Requires authorized users for EBT cards to sign the same rights and responsibilities agreements as those who are eligible for benefits. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO760 - School Meal Quality and Quantity Study
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D) |
| Summary: |
Resolution to urge the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to work together to conduct a statewide study of cafeteria services in every school district and set nutritional and quantity standards for school breakfasts and lunches. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO827 - Increasing Pennsylvania Families’ Access to Nutritious Foods
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Tarik Khan (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to require the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report regarding how the department can improve its outreach and application processes and also remove other barriers for consumers to access nutritious foods through the SNAP program. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO907 - Child and Adult Care Food Program Supplement
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Melissa L. Shusterman (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to create the Child and Adult Care Food Program Supplement. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO974 - Eliminating School BMI Screenings
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D) |
| Summary: |
Eliminates school BMI screenings. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1049 - Keystone Fresh Act
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Danilo Burgos (D) |
| Summary: |
Establishes the Keystone Fresh Act to provide state level investment that will increase the quantity and variety of local products that are sold to and served in Pennsylvania schools. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1193 - Diacritical Marks on State Identification (IDs) and Documents
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D) |
| Summary: |
Resolution urging all state agencies to use diacritical marks on official state documents by July 1, 2027. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1322 - Providing Free School Meals for all Pennsylvania Students
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Emily Kinkead (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to provide free school meals – breakfast and lunch -- to all K-12 students. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1339 - Studying the Public Assistance Benefits Cliff
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D) |
| Summary: |
Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on the impact of benefits cliffs in Pennsylvania. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1411 - Keystone Fresh Act
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Danilo Burgos (D) |
| Summary: |
Establishes the Keystone Fresh Act to provide state level investment that will increase the quantity and variety of local products that are sold to and served in Pennsylvania schools. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1434 - Benefit Transfer Device Fraud
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Doyle Heffley (R) |
| Summary: |
Aims to amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and outlines benefit transfer device fraud offenses and grading for unauthorized use of ACCESS cards. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1510 - SNAP Payment Distribution Study
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. David Madsen (D) |
| Summary: |
Directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct a study of Pennsylvania’s SNAP payment distribution schedules by analyzing caseloads, U.S. Census data and other states that issue payments over more than 10 days, and further directs DHS to develop SNAP payment schedules. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1570 - Assistance Recipient ID Program
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Rob W. Kauffman (R) |
| Summary: |
Aims to amend the Public Welfare Code, requiring that a person who is currently receiving or applying for assistance will participate in the Assistance Recipient Identification Program. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1666 - Fresh Food Financing Initiative
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Danilo Burgos (D) |
| Summary: |
Considers re-establishing the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative to provide grants for the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of grocery stores, farmers markets and other healthy food retail establishments in low- to moderate-income areas. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1710 - Establishing a Clear Path to Stronger EBT Security
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Dan K. Williams (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) to work with the General Assembly to ensure an efficient transition to chip-enabled EBT cards. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1713 - School Meal Debt Elimination
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Emily Kinkead (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to provide free meals to students in grades K-12, but also eliminate the school meal debt. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HCO1723 - Resolution designating the month of September 2025 as Healthy Hunger-Free Kids month.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Robert E. Merski (D) |
| Summary: |
Designates the month of September 2025 as Healthy Hunger-Free Kids month. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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HR80 - A Resolution urging the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education to collaborate on conducting a Statewide study of school cafeteria services provided to every school district.
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| Sponsor: |
Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D) |
| Summary: |
(PN 682) Resolution urging the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education to collaborate on conducting a statewide study of school cafeteria services provided to every school district. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB85 - An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in fiscal provisions relating to public assistance, providing for distribution of SNAP benefits.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 40) Amends the Human Services Code, in fiscal provisions relating to public assistance, adding a section to provide for the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Requires the department to develop and implement guidelines that require each county assistance office to distribute SNAP benefits on a monthly basis using a uniform 20-day distribution schedule within one year of the effective date. Allows the department to implement a tiered distribution schedule. Provides that the guidelines under this section shall utilize a method that is uniform throughout this commonwealth. Effective immediately. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB104 - An Act providing for a pilot program to increase the complement of Office of Inspector General employees and for report to the General Assembly.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 57) The Office of Inspector General Complement Increase Act provides for a pilot program to increase the complement of Office of Inspector General employees and for report to the General Assembly. Directs the pilot program to investigate fraud, waste, misconduct and abuse claims from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health for a minimum of two years. Provides a minimum 50% increase of employees in the Office of the Inspector General. Requires a report to the General Assembly no later than one year after hiring additional employees. Provides for contents of report. Requires the report be submitted to the Appropriations Committee of the House and Senate, the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate and the Human Services Committee of the House. Directs the report to be public record. Effective immediately. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB155 - An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for uniformity in administration of assistance and regulations as to assistance.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 105) Amends the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for uniformity in administration of assistance and regulations as to assistance to insert that the department shall check death certificates at the Bureau of Vital Statistics against recipients of medical assistance and benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on a monthly basis. Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB156 - An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for uniformity in administration of assistance and regulations as to assistance.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 106) Amends the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for uniformity in administration of assistance and regulations as to assistance to add that the department shall check, on a quarterly basis, income and employment records held by the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) against recipients of medical assistance and benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB157 - An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for reports to General Assembly.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 107) Amends the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for reports to General Assembly. Adds that the department shall issue an annual report on how many applicants reported lottery winnings of $600 or more, how many of those applicants were denied assistance due to lottery winnings of $600 or more and any potential gaps in communication encountered between the Department of Human Services and County Assistance Offices which may have resulted in the failed reporting of winnings over $600 to the chairpersons and minority chairpersons of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the House Human Services Committee. Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB217 - An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for initiative to finance production of fresh food.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R) |
| Summary: |
(PN 164) Amends Title 3 (Agriculture), adding a part to provide for food security and a chapter providing for the Fresh Food Financing Initiative. Provides definitions and establishes the Fresh Food Financing Initiative program. Provides for the administration of the program, program management, and program priorities. Specifies that regional anchor supermarkets, grocery stores, retail food establishments and farmers markets may receive grants. Provides that grants in an amount not exceeding 15% of the funding for any of the established project classes shall be awarded to qualifying applicants selected to receive the awards for capital projects. Requires a grant awarded to a regional anchor supermarket under the program to be matched by private funds in an amount equal to the grant. Provides for administrative or operational costs. Outlines grant funding eligibility, including eligible applicants and eligible uses. Provides for application review and approval, standards and requirements, and disposition of grants. Establishes the Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account in the General Fund to be exclusively used for the program. Permits grants be awarded to the extent that money is appropriated by the General Assembly. Accepts other revenue, including federal appropriations, for deposit into the restricted account for the sole purpose of awarding grants and administering the program. Effective immediately. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SB362 - An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for false statements, investigations and penalty.
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D) |
| Summary: |
(PN 308) Amends the Human Services Code, in public assistance, further providing for false statements, investigations and penalty. Adds that any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud produces, uses or traffics in, has control or custody of or possesses one or more counterfeit access devices that replicate the payment card information of a person receiving assistance, commits a crime and shall be ineligible to receive cash assistance permanently from the date of a conviction. Provides a schedule to grade the crime. Effective in 60 days. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO46 - School Meals for All: No child should experience hunger in school
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. Lindsey Marie Williams (D) |
| Summary: |
Expands the current no-cost breakfast program to include lunch. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO127 - Enhanced Penalties for SNAP Skimmers Stealing from Low-Income Families
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D) |
| Summary: |
Increases penalties for convicted offenders who steal assistance dollars from SNAP recipients, through an illegal act referred to as "SNAP Skimming". |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO182 - Establishing a Uniform Timeframe for the Distribution of SNAP Benefits in Pennsylvania
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
Establishes a uniform, statewide time period for the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO275 - Fresh Food Financing Initiative
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R) |
| Summary: |
Codifies the Fresh Food Financing Initiative within the commonwealth that aims to expand access to fresh food in underserved communities by providing grants to improve equipment, technology, and resources. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO276 - Increasing Welfare Fraud Detection through the Office of Inspector General
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
Provides additional funds to help assist the Office of Inspector General in identifying fraud. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO282 - Food Bucks Program for SNAP recipients
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. John I. Kane (D) |
| Summary: |
Aims to improve the SNAP program by
Finding an organization that will administer the program under certain specifications and will give preference to retailers and markets who sell PA-grown agricultural products, supporting local farmers and small businesses.
Increasing the funds available for Food Bucks program beyond private funding and the federal USDA grant (Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program).
Providing no less than forty cents to a SNAP recipient for every one dollar of SNAP benefits redeemed on targeted food items including fruits and vegetables and other healthy options.
Expanding nutrition incentives to the entire state, increasing the number of fruits and vegetables consumed by SNAP recipients.
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| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO400 - Child Support Coordination and the SNAP Program
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R) |
| Summary: |
Exercises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) option in Pennsylvania by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to opt into the federal option for both custodial and non-custodial parents alike. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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SCO604 - Ensuring the Department of Human Services Preserves Assistance Dollars for Those Who Truly Need It
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| Sponsor: |
Sen. David G. Argall (R) |
| Summary: |
Aims to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits aren’t being spent on those who are no longer living by requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to check death certificates with the Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics against its recipients of Medical Assistance (MA) and SNAP benefits; requires DHS to check wage records by employers and the Department of Revenue against recipients of MA and SNAP benefits; and ensures that DHS is accurately following the Public Assistance Integrity Act. |
| Position: |
No position selected.
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