This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 145.882, by adding two new subdivisions that provide exemptions for certain contract terms related to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The first subdivision (Subd. 9) allows the commissioner to bypass the contract term limits outlined in chapter 16C for contracts associated with the issuance of benefits through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system. These contracts can have an initial term of up to five years, with the possibility of extensions that do not exceed a total duration of ten years.

The second subdivision (Subd. 10) similarly exempts WIC from the contract term limits for management information systems used in the issuance of supplemental nutrition benefits and the WIC EBT systems for processing redemptions. Like the first subdivision, these contracts may also have an initial term of up to five years, with extensions allowed for a total contract duration not exceeding ten years. This legislation aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the WIC program by providing greater flexibility in contracting.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 145.882