House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Montana by mandating the Department of Public Health and Human Services to request waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These waivers would allow the state to limit SNAP purchases to healthier food options, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. The bill also proposes restricting the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to individuals over the age of 16 and establishes a transitional benefits program to prevent immediate loss of benefits as beneficiaries' incomes rise. Additionally, it requires annual reporting to the governor and relevant committees on waiver requests and SNAP spending patterns.

The bill amends various sections of Montana law to update terminology, specifically replacing "food stamps" with "supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits" to align with federal standards. It also clarifies employee classifications in the context of workers' compensation and public assistance programs, specifying that certain partners and sole proprietors are not considered employees until notice is given. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for volunteer emergency care providers to be recognized as employees under specific conditions and establishes guidelines for managing parenting arrangements in contested cases. An appropriation of $802,500 from the general fund is included to support the transitional benefits program, effective July 1, 2025, emphasizing the need for efficient service delivery and the role of county governments in assisting those in need.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 39-51-403, 39-51-2208, 39-71-118, 40-4-215, 45-6-312, 50-49-103, 53-2-108, 53-2-201, 53-2-211, 53-2-606, 53-2-901, 53-2-902, 53-2-903, 53-2-904, 53-3-115, 53-4-717
HB0902_1(1): 39-51-403, 39-51-2208, 39-71-118, 40-4-215, 45-6-312, 50-49-103, 53-2-108, 53-2-201, 53-2-211, 53-2-606, 53-2-901, 53-2-902, 53-2-903, 53-2-904, 53-3-115, 53-4-717
HB0902_1(2): 39-51-403, 39-51-2208, 39-71-118, 40-4-215, 45-6-312, 50-49-103, 53-2-108, 53-2-201, 53-2-211, 53-2-606, 53-2-901, 53-2-902, 53-2-903, 53-2-904, 53-3-115, 53-4-717
HB0902_1: 39-51-403, 39-51-2208, 39-71-118, 40-4-215, 45-6-312, 50-49-103, 53-2-108, 53-2-201, 53-2-211, 53-2-606, 53-2-901, 53-2-902, 53-2-903, 53-2-904, 53-3-115, 53-4-717