Title: WIC Enrollment Collaboration Act of 2020
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
WIC Enrollment Collaboration Act of 2020
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to report on the extent to which pregnant women, postpartum women (not more than one year postpartum), infants, and young children receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) or Medicaid benefits are certified to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children (WIC).
The report must include for each state (1) the monthly average of participants that received benefits under SNAP or Medicaid in the preceding year and for Medicaid purposes are a member of a family whose income was less than maximum income limit for free and reduced price meals, and (2) the percentage of participants that received benefits under SNAP or Medicaid who were certified to receive WIC.
Additionally, each state must implement an annual cross-enrollment plan that includes (1) goals for increasing the percentage of participants that received benefits under SNAP or Medicaid who were certified to receive WIC in the preceding year; (2) measures the state will carry out to achieve those goals, including by making improvements or modifications to information systems, data matching, or enhancing referrals; and (3) a time line for the state to implement such measures.
USDA must award competitive grants to states to implement a cross-enrollment plan in the state or to increase the percentage of such participants who were certified to receive WIC. Additionally, USDA must provide technical or training assistance to the states to increase the percentage.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3357 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3357

 To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to enhance State efforts to 
cross-enroll participants to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant 
  women, postpartum women, and young children, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 27, 2020

   Mr. Brown introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to enhance State efforts to 
cross-enroll participants to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant 
  women, postpartum women, and young children, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``WIC Enrollment Collaboration Act of 
2020''.

SEC. 2. STATE EFFORTS TO ENHANCE CROSS-ENROLLMENT TO IMPROVE 
              NUTRITIONAL OUTCOMES FOR PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN 
              AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

    (a) In General.--Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
U.S.C. 1786) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(r) State Efforts To Enhance Cross-Enrollment To Improve 
Nutritional Outcomes for Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Young 
Children.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Eligible woman and child.--The term `eligible 
                woman and child' means an individual that is any of the 
                following:
                            ``(i) A pregnant woman.
                            ``(ii) A woman not more than 1 year 
                        postpartum.
                            ``(iii) An infant.
                            ``(iv) A child.
                    ``(B) Medicaid benefits.--The term `Medicaid 
                benefits' means items and services provided under the 
                Medicaid program.
                    ``(C) Medicaid program.--The term `Medicaid 
                program' means the program of medical assistance under 
                a State plan established under title XIX of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
                    ``(D) Special supplemental nutrition program.--The 
                term `special supplemental nutrition program' means the 
                special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
                infants, and children established by this section.
                    ``(E) Supplemental nutrition assistance program.--
                The term `supplemental nutrition assistance program' 
                means the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
                under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 
                et seq.).
            ``(2) Report on cross-enrollment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than April 30, 2022, 
                and April 30 of each year thereafter, the Secretary 
                shall gather the data and conduct the analyses 
                necessary to submit to the Committees on Agriculture, 
                Nutrition, and Forestry and Finance of the Senate and 
                the Committees on Agriculture, Education and Labor, and 
                Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a 
                report that measures and describes the extent to which 
                eligible women and children receiving benefits under 
                the supplemental nutrition assistance program or 
                Medicaid benefits are certified to participate in the 
                special supplemental nutrition program.
                    ``(B) Specific measures.--Each report under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include, for each State and each 
                category of individual described in clauses (i) through 
                (iv) of paragraph (1)(A)--
                            ``(i) the average monthly number of 
                        eligible women and children that received 
                        benefits under the supplemental nutrition 
                        assistance program in the preceding year;
                            ``(ii) the average monthly number of 
                        eligible women and children that received 
                        Medicaid benefits in the preceding year and the 
                        income of which was less than the limit 
                        described in subsection (d)(2)(A)(i); and
                            ``(iii) the percentage of the eligible 
                        women and children--
                                    ``(I) described in clause (i) that 
                                were certified to receive benefits 
                                under the special supplemental 
                                nutrition program in the preceding 
                                year; and
                                    ``(II) described in clause (ii) 
                                that were certified to receive benefits 
                                under the special supplemental 
                                nutrition program in the preceding 
                                year.
                    ``(C) Cross-enrollment gains.--Beginning with the 
                second report submitted under subparagraph (A), each 
                report submitted under that subparagraph shall identify 
                each State in which a percentage described in subclause 
                (I) or (II) of subparagraph (B)(iii) increased by 5 
                percentage points from the previous year.
                    ``(D) Best practices.--Each report under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include a description of best 
                practices to facilitate certification under the special 
                supplemental nutrition program of eligible women and 
                children that receive benefits under the supplemental 
                nutrition assistance program or Medicaid benefits.
                    ``(E) Funding.--Of the funds authorized to be 
                appropriated under subsection (g)(1)(A), the Secretary 
                shall use $2,000,000 to carry out this paragraph, to 
                remain available until expended, of which not less than 
                $500,000 shall be used to support State provision of 
                data under paragraph (7)(A), to remain available until 
                expended.
            ``(3) Cross-enrollment plans; grants.--
                    ``(A) Cross-enrollment plans.--Not later than April 
                20, 2023, and April 30 of each year thereafter, each 
                State shall submit to the Secretary, and implement on 
                approval of the Secretary, an annual cross-enrollment 
                plan that includes--
                            ``(i) goals for increasing each percentage 
                        described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii);
                            ``(ii) measures to be carried out by the 
                        State to achieve those goals, including by 
                        making improvements or modifications to 
                        information systems, data matching, or 
                        enhancing referrals; and
                            ``(iii) a timeline for the State to 
                        implement the measures described in clause 
                        (ii).
                    ``(B) Cross-enrollment grants.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        award competitive grants to States (including 
                        State agencies that administer the supplemental 
                        nutrition assistance program, the Medicaid 
                        program, or the special supplemental nutrition 
                        program in the State) to implement the cross-
                        enrollment plan described in subparagraph (A) 
                        of the State or to increase any percentage 
                        described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii).
                            ``(ii) Use of funds.--A State shall use 
                        grant funds awarded under clause (i) to pay 
                        costs relating to implementing the cross-
                        enrollment plan of the State or increasing any 
                        percentage described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), 
                        including the cost of--
                                    ``(I) making technology 
                                improvements;
                                    ``(II) analyzing data relating to 
                                cross-enrollment in the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program, the 
                                Medicaid program, and the special 
                                supplemental nutrition program;
                                    ``(III) providing training or 
                                technical assistance to local agencies;
                                    ``(IV) sharing information among 
                                State administrators of the 
                                supplemental nutrition assistance 
                                program, the Medicaid program, and the 
                                special supplemental nutrition program;
                                    ``(V) establishing more robust 
                                referrals; and
                                    ``(VI) conducting targeted outreach 
                                to potential recipients of benefits 
                                under the special supplemental 
                                nutrition program.
                            ``(iii) Report.--Not later than December 
                        31, 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the 
                        Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
                        Forestry and Finance of the Senate and the 
                        Committees on Agriculture, Education and Labor, 
                        and Energy and Commerce of the House of 
                        Representatives a report that describes the 
                        results of the use of grant funds under this 
                        subparagraph.
                            ``(iv) Funding.--Of the funds authorized to 
                        be appropriated under subsection (g)(1)(A) for 
                        fiscal year 2021, the Secretary shall use 
                        $15,000,000 to carry out this subparagraph, to 
                        remain available until expended, of which not 
                        more than 10 percent shall be used for 
                        administrative costs.
                            ``(v) Technical assistance.--The Secretary 
                        shall provide, on request, technical assistance 
                        to a State or State agency that seeks to apply 
                        for a grant described in clause (i).
            ``(4) Technical and other assistance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide 
                technical or training assistance to a State or State 
                agency, as applicable, receiving a grant under 
                paragraph (3)(B), and other States, as appropriate, to 
                increase any percentage described in paragraph 
                (2)(B)(iii).
                    ``(B) Other assistance.--The Secretary may--
                            ``(i) disseminate to States and relevant 
                        State agencies the best practices described in 
                        paragraph (2)(D);
                            ``(ii) assess the effectiveness of the 
                        efforts of the State or State agency to 
                        increase the percentage described in 
                        subparagraph (A);
                            ``(iii) assist State agencies in developing 
                        a cross-enrollment plan described in paragraph 
                        (3)(A); and
                            ``(iv) conduct any other activity to 
                        facilitate certification under the special 
                        supplemental nutrition program of eligible 
                        women and children that receive benefits under 
                        the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
                        or Medicaid benefits, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
                    ``(C) Funding.--Of the funds authorized to be 
                appropriated under subsection (g)(1)(A), the Secretary 
                shall use $2,000,000 to carry out this paragraph, to 
                remain available until expended.
            ``(5) Referrals of eligible women and children.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each State that administers the 
                supplemental nutrition assistance program or Medicaid 
                program shall--
                            ``(i) identify individuals who--
                                    ``(I)(aa) apply or reapply for 
                                benefits under the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program or 
                                Medicaid benefits, as applicable; and
                                    ``(bb) are certified to receive 
                                benefits under the special supplemental 
                                nutrition program at the time of 
                                application or reapplication; and
                                    ``(II)(aa) apply or reapply for 
                                benefits under the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program or 
                                Medicaid benefits, as applicable; and
                                    ``(bb) are not certified to receive 
                                benefits under the special supplemental 
                                nutrition program at the time of 
                                application or reapplication under 
                                subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) develop a policy to refer to the 
                        special supplemental nutrition program all 
                        eligible women and children identified under 
                        clause (i)(II).
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2021, 
                and each year thereafter, each State described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall report to the Secretary--
                            ``(i) the number of individuals identified 
                        under subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph 
                        (A)(i); and
                            ``(ii) the number and type of referrals 
                        made to the special supplemental nutrition 
                        program under a policy developed under 
                        subparagraph (A)(ii).
            ``(6) Study on the importance of meeting the nutritional 
        needs of pregnant women and young children.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 
                2021, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and 
                the Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor 
                of the House of Representatives a report that 
                describes--
                            ``(i) the importance of adequate and sound 
                        nutrition during pregnancy, the postpartum 
                        period, and early childhood to birth outcomes, 
                        child development, ongoing health, and economic 
                        stability;
                            ``(ii) the manner in which the special 
                        supplemental nutrition program works in 
                        combination with the supplemental nutrition 
                        assistance program and the Medicaid program to 
                        support adequate and sound nutrition for 
                        eligible women and children that receive 
                        benefits under those programs;
                            ``(iii) research findings on the short- and 
                        long-term outcomes associated with receiving 
                        benefits under the programs described in clause 
                        (ii) during pregnancy and early childhood 
                        years; and
                            ``(iv) recommendations on how the 
                        supplemental nutrition assistance program, the 
                        Medicaid program, and the special supplemental 
                        nutrition program can more effectively ensure 
                        that recipients of benefits under the 
                        supplemental nutrition assistance program or 
                        Medicaid benefits that are also eligible for 
                        benefits under the special supplemental 
                        nutrition program can be certified more 
                        expeditiously during the critical developmental 
                        periods of pregnancy and early childhood.
                    ``(B) Funding.--Of the funds authorized to be 
                appropriated under subsection (g)(1)(A) for fiscal year 
                2021, the Secretary shall use $2,000,000 to carry out 
                this paragraph, to remain available until expended.
            ``(7) Data from states.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each State shall provide to the 
                Secretary any data necessary to conduct the analyses 
                for each report and study required under this 
                subsection.
                    ``(B) Confidentiality.--All data provided to the 
                Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall be--
                            ``(i) used only to enroll individuals in 
                        the special supplemental nutrition program; and
                            ``(ii) subject to the confidentiality 
                        provisions described in section 246.26(d) of 
                        title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
                        successor regulations).
                    ``(C) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall 
                provide, on request, technical or training assistance 
                to a State relating to data governance of information 
                required to be provided to the Secretary under 
                subparagraph (A).''.
    (b) Food and Nutrition Act.--Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(y) State Efforts To Enhance Cross-Enrollment To Improve the 
Nutritional Status of Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Young 
Children.--A State agency shall--
            ``(1)(A) identify women and children applying or reapplying 
        for benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance 
        program under this Act who are certified to receive benefits 
        under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
        infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child 
        Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786);
            ``(B) develop a policy to refer to the special supplemental 
        nutrition program described in subparagraph (A) women and 
        children applying or reapplying for benefits under the 
        supplemental nutrition assistance program under this Act who 
        are eligible but not certified to receive benefits under that 
        special supplemental nutrition program; and
            ``(C) not later than December 31, 2021, and each year 
        thereafter, report to the Secretary the number and type of 
        referrals made under the policy developed under subparagraph 
        (B);
            ``(2) coordinate with a State agency that administers the 
        special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and 
        children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act 
        of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) to obtain cross-enrollment grants 
        under subsection (r)(3)(B) of that section; and
            ``(3) provide to the Secretary the data necessary to 
        conduct the analyses for each report and study required under 
        subsection (r) of section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 
        (42 U.S.C. 1786).''.
    (c) Social Security Act.--Section 1902(a)(11)(C) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(11)(C)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``title'' and all that follows through 
        ``with'' and inserting ``title with''; and
            (2) by inserting after ``1966'' the following: ``, 
        including--
                            ``(i) providing information and education 
                        on pediatric vaccinations and the delivery of 
                        immunization services;
                            ``(ii)(I) identifying women and children 
                        applying or reapplying for benefits under this 
                        title who are certified to receive benefits 
                        under the special supplemental nutrition 
                        program for women, infants, and children 
                        established by section 17 of the Child 
                        Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786);
                            ``(II) developing a policy to refer to the 
                        special supplemental nutrition program 
                        described in subclause (I) women and children 
                        applying or reapplying for benefits under this 
                        title who are eligible but not certified to 
                        receive benefits under that special 
                        supplemental nutrition program; and
                            ``(III) not later than December 31, 2021, 
                        and each year thereafter, reporting to the 
                        Secretary the number and type of referrals made 
                        under the policy developed under subclause 
                        (II);
                            ``(iii) obtaining cross-enrollment grants 
                        under subsection (r)(3)(B) of section 17 of 
                        that Act; and
                            ``(iv) providing to the Secretary of 
                        Agriculture the data necessary to conduct the 
                        analyses for each report and study required 
                        under subsection (r) of that section''.
                                 <all>