House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant revisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Montana, focusing on promoting healthier food choices and improving program administration. The bill mandates the Department of Public Health and Human Services to seek waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to limit SNAP purchases to healthier options, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. It also restricts the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to individuals over 16 years old and introduces a transitional benefits program to prevent abrupt loss of benefits for those whose income exceeds the allowable limit, allowing for a gradual reduction in benefits. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on waiver requests and SNAP spending patterns, while updating terminology throughout the law to replace "food stamps" with "supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits."

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify employee classifications and enhance the administration of public assistance programs. It specifies that partners, sole proprietors, or members are not considered employees until notice is given and outlines the process for employers to elect coverage for corporate officers. The bill also classifies students in work-based learning activities as employees if they are paid, while unpaid students are considered volunteers. It includes provisions for investigating parenting arrangements in contested cases and allows the Department of Labor and Industry to request information from the Department of Revenue to address fraud in unemployment and workers' compensation benefits. A new appropriation of $802,500 from the general fund is allocated for the transitional benefits program, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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(3): 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(4): 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(5): 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