1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Food Assistance for Kids and Families During COVID-19 Act of 2020”.
Food Assistance for Kids and Families During COVID-19 Act of 2020
A BILL
To modify nutrition programs to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019, and for other purposes.
2. Supplemental nutrition assistance program
Definitions— In this section:
Program— The term program means the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Program modifications—
In general— In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall—
notify authorized program retailers of existing opportunities through which retailers can deliver groceries to program participants, including by—
allowing an EBT card (as defined in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012)) to be swiped on delivery of groceries to the home (with a mobile device); and
preparing groceries for pick-up;
authorize public-private partnerships between the Department of Agriculture, authorized program retailers, and community-based organizations to support grocery delivery, including through the use of private funds; and
in the case of an authorized program retailer or a grocer that is unable to cover the cost of grocery delivery for program participants, use funds made available under paragraph (2) to support grocery delivery for program participants who are seniors, immunocompromised individuals, or other individuals who are unable to travel safely to a grocery store.
Funding for delivery—
In general— There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $500,000,000 to cover the cost of grocery delivery under paragraph (1)(C).
Emergency requirement— The amount made available under subparagraph (A) is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)).
Administration— A State agency shall—
pay for the cost of grocery delivery under paragraph (1)(C) for an authorized program retailer or grocer described in that subparagraph; and
be reimbursed by the Secretary using funds appropriated under subparagraph (A).
Authorization of appropriations— In addition to the amount appropriated under subparagraph (A), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to cover the cost of grocery delivery under paragraph (1)(C).
Termination of authority—
In general— Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the authority of the Secretary to carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) shall terminate on the date on which the national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is terminated.
Reimbursement— The Secretary may reimburse State agencies under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) after the date described in subparagraph (A).
Return of funds— The Secretary shall return to the Treasury any funds appropriated under paragraph (2)(A) that have not been used or obligated under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) by the date described in subparagraph (A).
Use of certain funds— Section 28(c)(3)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036a(c)(3)(A)) is amended—
in clause (ii), by striking “and” at the end;
in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(iv) during a national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), to distribute at a noncongregate location, including at a school or through delivery, free or reduced price meals under the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).”
3. Special supplemental nutrition program for women and children
Certification of infants—
Definition of infant— Section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
“(5) Infant—The term infant means—
“(A) a person under 1 year of age; and
“(B) for purposes of subsection (d), a person under 2 years of age.”
Certification— Section 17(d)(3)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(iv) Infants
“(I) In general—A State may elect to certify an infant for a period of not more than 2 years.
“(II) Assessments—In certifying an infant under subclause (I), a State shall ensure that the infant receives required health and nutrition assessments.”
Extension of postpartum period—
Breastfeeding women—
Definition of breastfeeding woman— Section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(1) Breastfeeding woman—The term breastfeeding woman means—
“(A) a woman who is not more than 1 year postpartum and is breastfeeding the infant of the woman; and
“(B) for purposes of subsection (d), a woman who is not more than 2 years postpartum and is breastfeeding the infant of the woman.”
Certification— Section 17(d)(3)(A)(ii) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking “1 year” and all that follows through “earlier” and inserting “not more than 2 years postpartum”.
Postpartum women—
Definition of postpartum woman— Section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
“(10) Postpartum woman—The term postpartum woman means—
“(A) a woman up to 6 months after termination of pregnancy; and
“(B) for purposes of subsection (d), a woman up to 2 years after termination of pregnancy.”
Certification— Section 17(d)(3)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)) (as amended by subsection (a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(v) Postpartum women—A State may elect to certify a postpartum woman for a period of up to 2 years after the termination of pregnancy of the postpartum woman.”
4. Waiver of administrative conditions
Section 301 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5141) is amended by inserting “or emergency” after “major disaster” each place the term appears.