FINAL BILL REPORT

                                   2SSB 5568

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 366 L 91

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Addressing hunger and nutritional problems.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Stratton, Talmadge, L. Smith, Pelz, Bailey, Gaspard, Vognild, Williams, Skratek, Murray, Newhouse, McMullen, Matson, Bauer, West, L. Kreidler, A. Smith, Wojahn, Moore, Rinehart and Snyder).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

BACKGROUND:

It is estimated that approximately 32 million Americans live below the federal poverty level.  Approximately 547,000 citizens of the state of Washington, a little more than 10  percent of the population, are living below poverty level.  A report by the Governor's Task Force on Hunger found that between 20 and 40 percent of these families experience severe monthly shortages, directly affecting children.  Children who are hungry or malnourished are unable to function optimally in the classroom and are thus at risk of lower achievement in school.

Not all of the mothers and infants in the state eligible for the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children are being served by the program.

The existing network of emergency food assistance programs is unable to meet the demand for purchase, transportation, and storage of food.

Many people receiving assistance through the Emergency Food Assistance Program have special nutritional needs which are not met.  These people include infants and children with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, adults with chronic diseases, etc.

People facing severe hunger often have to wait several days before their food stamp assistance is approved by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

SUMMARY:

The number of eligible women and children served by the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children is increased.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is expanded to provide additional support for the operation of food banks, food distribution programs, and tribal voucher programs for the purchase, transportation, and storage of food.  Food for persons with special nutritional needs and training for food bank staff about these needs is increased.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is directed to issue food stamps to eligible persons within 24 hours of application.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is directed to aggressively solicit eligible schools, child and adult day care centers, and other organizations to participate in U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition programs.

The Senate Children and Family Services Committee and the House Human Services Committee are directed to conduct an interim study on nutrition needs of specific groups of persons.

Program expansions for women, infants and children (WIC) vouchers; emergency food banks; school-based meals and 24-hour expedited food stamps are each made contingent upon funding in the budget.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      48    0

House 91    0     (House amended)

Senate      43    3     (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:  July 1, 1991

Partial Veto Summary:  A section requiring issuance of food stamps within 24 hours which established a legal conclusion regarding federal food stamp policy is removed.  (See VETO MESSAGE)