Bill Text: VA HB2430 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Produce Rx Program; established, report.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-07 - Left in Health, Welfare and Institutions [HB2430 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HB2430-Introduced.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 8 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-807 as follows:
§63.2-807. Produce Rx Program; report.
A. As used in this section:
"Eligible individual" means an individual for whom a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry, licensed nurse practitioner, licensed physician assistant, or registered dietitian or nutritionist has determined a diagnosis that would benefit from a produce prescription and has written such a prescription and who is eligible for medical assistance services or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits in the Commonwealth.
"Qualified care provider" means any licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy, licensed physician assistant, licensed nurse practitioner, or registered dietician or nutritionist.
"Qualifying fruits and vegetables" means any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils, or sodium.
B. The Department shall establish a Produce Rx Program (the Program) as a three-year pilot program in every region of the Commonwealth to incentivize consumption of qualifying fruits and vegetables by eligible individuals for whom increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended by a qualified care provider. Such Program shall include:
1. Eligibility criteria for participation in the Program, including criteria for eligible individuals and qualified care providers;
2. A process for enrolling eligible individuals in the Program;
3. A process for verifying qualified care providers for participation in the Program;
4. A process for verification of a variety of eligible vendors of food items covered by the Program, which shall include verification of the ability of such vendors to provide approved food items;
5. A process for the issuance by qualified care providers to eligible individuals of Program vouchers that may be redeemed for the purchase of qualifying fruits and vegetables; and
6. Reporting requirements for qualified care providers who provide Program vouchers.
C. The Program shall include provisions for technical assistance for qualified care providers and vendors and robust data collection and evaluation activities.
D. The Department shall report annually by December 1 to the Governor and the General Assembly data and information about the Program, including the number of eligible individuals receiving vouchers through the Program and the number and location of qualified care providers participating in the Program, the total value of vouchers issued to eligible individuals, and the total value of vouchers redeemed.
2. That the Department of Social Services (the Department) shall convene a work group that shall include representatives of the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Heart Association, the Virginia Farmers Market Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to advise the Department on the design of the Produce Rx Program established pursuant to this act.
