BILL NUMBER: S8584
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring that two
electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards be issued to certain
households receiving special supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants and children (WIC) benefits
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Requires that two electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards be
available to certain households receiving special supplemental nutrition
program for women, infants and children (WIC) benefits. Providing
spouses, guardians and familial caretakers with the ability to make
purchases for and on behalf of the covered mother and child.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 2507 of the Public Health law to require the
Department of Health (DOH) to issue an additional WIC electronic benefit
card to eligible relative caretakers; require DOH to cover costs associ-
ated with providing additional cards to eligible WIC households; and
stipulate that there shall be no reduction in benefits related to any
additional costs associated with providing such additional cards.
Section 2: sets for the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2022, New York State passed new legislation requiring the issuance of
two SNAP cards for households with more than one parent or guardian. The
bipartisan legislation recognized that for many working families, having
to keep track of who has a benefit card at any given time can present
challenges in keeping their family fed.
The same challenges exist for households who receive WIC benefits, but
who only receive a single benefit card.
Affording these households an additional WIC electronic benefit transfer
card will assist mothers and familial caretakers alike by allowing
either party to make necessary eligible purchases of food products and
formula ensuring the infant's health.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2025: new legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S8584: 2507 public health law