Bill > H129

This bill requires the Massachusetts departments of transitional assistance and agricultural resources to jointly select a statewide organization to conduct a comprehensive survey about the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which is designed to support SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients and local farmers. The survey will be distributed to both program participants and non-participants, and will gather detailed information including understanding of the program's purpose and benefits, frequency of program use, methods of learning about the program, barriers to participation, and overall experiences. The bill mandates that the commissioners establish rules and procedures for the survey, ensure its completion within 12 months of the act's passage, and publish the results on their department websites and submit them to the state legislature. The primary goal is to evaluate the program's effectiveness, identify potential improvements, and inform future outreach efforts to better serve both SNAP recipients and Massachusetts farmers by understanding their current experiences and challenges with the Healthy Incentives Program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H129