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Bill > H222

MA H222

Relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program

summary

Introduced
02/27/2025
In Committee
02/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

194th General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to authorize agricultural healthy incentives program. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a year-round Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance in collaboration with the departments of Agricultural Resources and Public Health. The program will provide additional benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who purchase fruits and vegetables (fresh, canned, dried, or frozen) from participating vendors, with matching benefits reimbursed directly to the recipient's Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The bill prioritizes expanding vendor participation in underserved areas and requires collaboration with local food coalitions to ensure equitable access. A new Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund will be created to support the program, which can receive funding from public and private sources, including potential federal grants like the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. The department must submit an annual detailed report by January 31st, including program statistics such as participant demographics, transaction numbers, vendor information, and strategies for expanding program access. The bill also directs the Department of Transitional Assistance to develop regulations for implementing the program, with the overall goal of improving nutritional access for SNAP recipients.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (47)

Mindy Domb (D)*,  Andy Vargas (D)*,  James Arena-Derosa (D),  Michelle Badger (D),  Christine Barber (D),  John Barrett (D),  Natalie Blais (D),  Tony Cabral (D),  Jo Comerford (D),  Mike Connolly (D),  Leigh Davis (D),  Marjorie Decker (D),  Rodney Elliott (D),  Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D),  Carole Fiola (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Carlos González (D),  Natalie Higgins (D),  Kevin Honan (D),  Tara Hong (D),  Vanna Howard (D),  Hannah Kane (R),  Kristin Kassner (D),  Mike Kushmerek (D),  Kathy LaNatra (D),  Joan Lovely (D),  Adrian Madaro (D),  Christopher Markey (D),  Sam Montaño (D),  John Moran (D),  Brian Murray (D),  Tram Nguyen (D),  Steve Owens (D),  Becca Rausch (D),  Sean Reid (D),  Dave Rogers (D),  Lindsay Sabadosa (D),  Aaron Saunders (D),  Margaret Scarsdale (D),  Dan Sena (D),  Mark Sylvia (D),  Bruce Tarr (R),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Erika Uyterhoeven (D),  Susannah Whipps (I),  Jon Zlotnik (D), 

Last Action

Senate concurred (on 02/27/2025)

bill text

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H222
BillText https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H222.pdf
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