Substitute Senate Bill No. 149 seeks to modernize and enhance the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) in Connecticut by updating terminology, expanding eligible locations for benefit redemption, and streamlining the certification process for farmers. Key changes include replacing the term "vendor" with "farmer" throughout the legislation, which emphasizes the role of farmers in the program. The bill also changes "authorized farmers' market" to "authorized benefit location," allowing benefits to be redeemed at farm stands and mobile markets, thus broadening access. Additionally, the definition of "benefit" is updated to refer to a monetary amount rather than "vouchers," and it specifies that these benefits can only be used for Connecticut-grown fresh unprocessed produce.

The bill further outlines the responsibilities of local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies in distributing benefits and maintaining participant eligibility records, while also establishing a structured violation system for non-compliance with FMNP rules. It introduces a classification system for violations, with varying penalties based on severity, and eliminates outdated requirements, such as the need for a signed vendor certification handbook. Overall, these amendments aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the FMNP, ensuring better nutritional support for vulnerable populations while promoting local agriculture.

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
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 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
File No. 74: 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