Bill Text: MO HB1520 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes the Missouri Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to provide low-income seniors with fresh Missouri-grown produce
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-29 - Referred: Special Standing Committee on Urban Issues(H) [HB1520 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2014-HB1520-Introduced.html
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES GARDNER (Sponsor), MONTECILLO, PETERS, SMITH, ELLINGTON, HODGES AND MCMANUS (Co-sponsors).
5275L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the Missouri senior farmers' market nutrition program.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.285, to read as follows:
208.285. 1. The department of social services shall apply for a grant under the United States Department of Agriculture Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to provide low-income seniors with vouchers that may be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
2. There is hereby established the "Missouri Senior Farmers' Market Nutritional Program" within the department of social services. Upon receipt of any grant moneys under subsection 1 of this section, the program shall supply Missouri-grown fresh produce to senior participants through the distribution of vouchers that are redeemable only at designated Missouri farmers' markets and roadside stands. The program is designed to provide both a supplemental source of fresh produce for the dietary needs of low-income seniors, to stimulate an increased demand for Missouri-grown produce at farmers' markets and roadside stands, and to develop new and additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs.
3. Eligible seniors shall receive senior farmers' market nutritional program vouchers from designated distribution sites in their county of residence. Upon issuance of vouchers, participants shall be provided with a list of participating farmers, farmers' markets, and roadside stands. The department, in consultation with the department of health and senior services, shall provide distribution site information at all county area agencies on aging.
4. For purposes of this section, "senior participant" means a person who is at least sixty years of age or older by December thirty-first of the program year and who meets the income eligibility criteria based on guidelines published annually by the United States Department of Agriculture.
5. The department may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2014, shall be invalid and void.
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