HB 684

ON APRIL 14, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 879, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, require the commissioner of human services to provide the commissioner of correction with a form application for food assistance for use by inmates who are preparing for release. Such an application must inclu de all of the following:  An option for an inmate to indicate that the inmate is declining to apply for food assistance.  Options for an inmate who declines to apply for food assistance to indicate the inmate's reasons for doing so.  The option for an inmate for who wishes to decline to apply for food assistance to do so anonymously.  A provision authorizing a re-entry specialist from a state correctional institution to formally document an inmate's decision not to pursue food assistance benefits by the inmate's refusal to complete the form application. This amendment requires the department of correction to (i) provide each inmate who is preparing for release from incarceration with a copy of the food assistance application and sufficient opportunity and means to complete the application prior to relea se; and (ii) collect all applications from such inmates and return the completed applications to the department of human services. The commissioner of human services must seek any waivers from the United States department of agriculture that are necessar y to provide the food assistance application. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS This amendment requires the commission of correction to submit a written report to the chief clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the legislative librarian that includes data from the previous calendar year on (i) the number of food assistance applications that were completed by inmates prior to release in each state correctional institution ; (ii) the number of such applications on which the inmate indicated a desire to decline to apply for food assistance; (iii) reasons inmates who declin ed to apply indicated as the reasons for such denial; (iv) the number of incomplete applications resulting from inmate refusals to complete the form for food assistance; and (v) the number of inmates who were approved for food assistance prior to release from imprisonment. Such report must be submitted no later than January 15, 2027, and every January 15th thereafter. The commissioner of human services must provide the commissioner of correction any data necessary to complete the report. RULEMAKING This amendment authorizes the commissioner of correction and the commissioner of human services to promulgate rules to effectuate this amendment.