COVID–19 WIC Safety and Modernization Act

To establish a task force on supplemental foods delivery in the special supplemental nutrition program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 WIC Safety and Modernization Act 2. Task force on supplemental foods delivery in the special supplemental nutrition program (a) Establishment of task force Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a task force on supplemental foods delivery in the special supplemental nutrition program (in this section referred to as the Task Force (b) Membership (1) Composition The Task Force shall be composed of at least 1 member but not more than 3 members appointed by the Secretary from each of the following: (A) Retailers of supplemental foods. (B) Representatives of State agencies. (C) Representatives of Indian State agencies. (D) Representatives of local agencies. (E) Technology companies with experience maintaining the special supplemental nutrition program information systems and technology, including management information systems or electronic benefit transfer services. (F) Manufacturers of supplemental foods. (G) Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program from diverse locations. (H) Other organizations that have experience with and knowledge of the special supplemental nutrition program. (2) Limitation on membership The Task Force shall be composed of not more than 20 members. (c) Duties (1) Study The Task Force shall study measures to streamline the redemption of supplemental foods benefits that promote convenience, safety, and equitable access to supplemental foods, including infant formula, for participants in the special supplemental nutrition program, including— (A) online and telephonic ordering and curbside pickup of, and payment for, supplemental foods; (B) online and telephonic purchasing of supplemental foods; (C) home delivery of supplemental foods; (D) self checkout for purchases of supplemental foods; and (E) other measures that limit or eliminate consumer presence in a physical store. (2) Report by Task Force Not later than September 30, 2021, the Task Force shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes— (A) the results of the study required under paragraph (1); and (B) recommendations with respect to such results. (3) Report by Secretary Not later than 45 days after receiving the report required under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall— (A) submit to Congress a report that includes— (i) a plan with respect to carrying out the recommendations received by the Secretary in such report under paragraph (2); and (ii) an assessment of whether legislative changes are necessary to carry out such plan; and (B) notify the Task Force of the submission of the report required under subparagraph (A). (4) Publication The Secretary shall make publicly available on the website of the Department of Agriculture— (A) the report received by the Secretary under paragraph (2); and (B) the report submitted by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A). (d) Termination The Task Force shall terminate on the date the Secretary submits the report required under paragraph (3)(A). (e) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Local agency The term local agency 42 U.S.C. 1786(b) (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) Special supplemental nutrition program The term special supplemental nutrition program 42 U.S.C. 1786 (4) State agency The term State agency 42 U.S.C. 1786(b) (5) Supplemental foods The term supplemental foods 42 U.S.C. 1786(b)

Summary: COVID-19 WIC Safety and Modernization Act This bill direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a task force on supplemental foods delivery in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The task force must study measures to streamline the redemption of supplemental foods benefits that promote convenience, safety, and equitable access to supplemental foods for participants in WIC, including online and telephonic purchasing of supplemental foods. The task force must submit to USDA a report that includes the results of the study and recommendations with respect to such results. USDA must submit to Congress a report that includes a plan to carry out the recommendations of the task force and an assessment of whether legislative changes are necessary to carry out such plan. The task force shall terminate on the date USDA submits the report to Congress.