General Assembly Raised Bill No. 149 proposes significant revisions to the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, focusing on updating terminology and definitions to better reflect current practices. Key changes include replacing the term "vendor" with "farmer" throughout the legislation, which emphasizes the role of farmers in the program. The term "authorized farmers' market" is also changed to "authorized redemption location," broadening the scope to include farm stands and mobile markets. Additionally, the definition of "benefits" is updated to replace "vouchers," and it is specified that these benefits can only be redeemed for Connecticut-grown fresh unprocessed produce. The bill also introduces a "farmer certification handbook" and clarifies eligibility criteria for participants, aiming to streamline the program and enhance clarity.

The bill further outlines the responsibilities of local WIC agencies and participants, mandating accurate record-keeping and requiring participants to use benefits solely for purchasing Connecticut-grown produce. It also modifies the certification process for farmers, requiring them to complete an annual online learning module and pass a knowledge test. The legislation categorizes violations into classes with specific consequences and introduces a process for handling noncompliance. Overall, Raised Bill No. 149 seeks to modernize the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, improve nutritional access for vulnerable populations, and support local agriculture by ensuring that the program's regulations align with contemporary practices.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-6g, 22-6h, 22-6i, 22-6j, 22-6k, 22-6l, 22-6m, 22-6n, 22-6o, 22-6p, 22-6q, 22-26k, 22-34