Bill > HB0684

This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to create a food assistance application form for inmates who are preparing to be released from state correctional institutions, which are facilities that hold individuals under state law. The application must allow inmates to decline assistance, state their reasons for declining, and either do so anonymously or have a re-entry specialist document their refusal. The Department of Correction will then distribute these applications to inmates before their release, collect them, and send them to the Department of Human Services. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Correction must submit an annual report to legislative leaders detailing the number of applications completed, declined, and approved for food assistance by inmates. The bill also mandates that the Commissioner of Human Services seek necessary waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement these provisions and provide data for the report, with the act taking effect for rule-making purposes upon becoming law and for all other purposes on July 1, 2026.