2005 Texas Human Resources Code CHAPTER 33. NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

HUMAN RESOURCES CODE

CHAPTER 33. NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS


	§ 33.001. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES.  (a) The 
department is the state agency designated to cooperate with the 
federal government in administering the distribution of federal 
surplus commodities and other resources.
	(b)  The department may cooperate with a city or county in 
any manner necessary for the proper operation of this program.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2353, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.002. DISTRIBUTION OF COMMODITIES AND FOOD 
STAMPS.  (a) The department is responsible for the distribution of 
commodities and food stamps allocated to the department by the 
federal government.
	(b)  The department may enter into agreements with federal 
agencies that are required as a prerequisite to the allocation of 
the commodities or food stamps.  The department may enter into 
agreements with eleemosynary institutions, schools, and other 
eligible agencies and recipients of the commodities and food 
stamps.
	(c)  The department shall establish policies and rules that 
will ensure the widest and most efficient distribution of the 
commodities and food stamps to those eligible to receive them.
	(d)  The department shall continually monitor the expedited 
issuance of food stamp benefits to ensure that each region in the 
state complies with federal regulations and that those households 
eligible for expedited issuance are identified, processed, and 
certified within the timeframes prescribed within the federal 
regulations.  As soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal 
year, the department shall report to the Governor's Office of 
Budget and Planning, the Legislative Budget Board, the state 
auditor, and the department's board members regarding its 
monitoring of expedited issuance and the degree of compliance with 
federal regulations on a region-by-region basis.  The department 
shall notify members of the legislature and the standing committees 
of the senate and house of representatives having primary 
jurisdiction over the department of the filing of the report.
	(e)  The Texas Department of Human Services shall screen all 
applicants for expedited issuance on a priority basis within one 
working day.  Applicants who meet the federal criteria for 
expedited issuance and have an immediate need for food assistance 
shall receive either a manual Authorization-to-Purchase card or the 
immediate issuance of food stamp coupons within one working day.
	(f)  The department shall conspicuously post in each local 
food stamp office a notice of the availability of and procedure for 
applying for expedited issuance.
	(g)  The department may, within federal limits, modify the 
one-day screening and service delivery requirements prescribed by 
Subsection (e) if the department determines that the modification 
is necessary to reduce fraud in the food stamp program.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2354, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979.  Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 150, § 4, eff. Aug. 
26, 1985;  Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1052, § 7.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
1987;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 655, § 8.09, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 693, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


	§ 33.0021. APPLICATION INFORMATION.  (a) The department 
shall develop general informational materials that contain 
eligibility guidelines for benefits under this chapter and that 
clearly and simply explain the process for applying for benefits, 
as well as indicate the availability of expedited food stamps, the 
existence of toll-free telephone hotlines, and the existence of a 
procedure in each region to handle complaints.  These informational 
materials shall be nonpromotional in nature.
	(b)  The materials must contain a list of the specific items 
necessary to verify an application.
	(c)  The department shall distribute the materials to 
community action agencies, legal services offices, and emergency 
food programs and other programs likely to have contact with 
potential applicants.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 150, § 5, eff. Aug. 26, 1985.           


	§ 33.0022. FRAUD PREVENTION IN FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.  (a) 
The electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system operator and 
installer shall report to the department and the United States 
Department of Agriculture suspicious activity relating to a 
retailer's participation in the food stamp program, including:
		(1)  a noticeable absence of staple food products;                            
		(2)  a low supply of staple food products in relation to 
other items in the retailer's inventory;  or
		(3)  improper food stamp redemption.                                          
	(b)  The department shall compare a retailer's food stamp 
sales volume with the retailer's total food sales to determine 
whether the retailer is eligible to receive free point-of-sale 
terminals.
	(c)  At least once each fiscal quarter, the department shall 
provide any information reported under Subsection (a) to the Public 
Assistance Fraud Oversight Task Force.
	(d)  In this section, "retailer" means a business approved 
for participation in the food stamp program.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 322, § 3, eff. May 26, 1997.            


	§ 33.0023. FOOD STAMP INFORMATION MATCHING SYSTEM.  (a) 
To detect and prevent fraud in the food stamp program, the 
department, through the use of a computerized matching system, 
shall compare at least semiannually department information 
relating to food stamp transactions and redemptions by recipients 
of food stamps and retailers with information obtained from the 
comptroller and other appropriate state agencies relating to those 
recipients and retailers.
	(b)  The department, the comptroller, and the appropriate 
agencies shall take all necessary measures to protect the 
confidentiality of information provided under this section, in 
compliance with all existing state and federal privacy guidelines.
	(c)  In this section, "retailer" means a business approved 
for participation in the food stamp program.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 322, § 3, eff. May 26, 1997.            


	§ 33.003. DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS;  AGENTS.  (a) The 
department may establish distribution districts and employ 
distributing agents or may make other arrangements necessary to 
provide for the efficient distribution of commodities and food 
stamps.
	(b)  A distributing agent must be bonded.  The department 
shall audit a distributing agent's records at least once annually 
and at any other time considered expedient by the department.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2354, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.004. ADVISORY BOARDS.  (a) The department may 
establish state or district-level advisory boards to facilitate the 
operations of the commodity distribution or food stamp programs.
	(b)  The advisory boards shall be of the size, membership, 
and experience that the commissioner determines to be essential for 
the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter and not in 
conflict with or duplicative of other laws on this subject.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2354, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.005. PROCESSING PERISHABLE COMMODITIES.  (a) The 
department may enter into nonprofit contracts with state 
institutions or state or private agencies for the processing of 
perishable commodities to preserve them for subsequent 
distribution to eligible recipients.
	(b)  The cost of processing shall be borne by each recipient 
on a pro rata basis in relation to the amount of the processed 
commodities received by each distribution district.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2354, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.006. HANDLING CHARGES.  (a) The department may 
assess reasonable handling charges against the recipients of 
commodities or food stamps to cover the cost of distribution.  The 
total operation must be conducted on a nonprofit basis.
	(b)  The department shall make the assessments at the times 
and in the amounts that it considers necessary for the proper 
administration of the programs.  However, the assessments must be 
uniform in each distribution district and may not exceed $1 per 
recipient per year.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2354, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979.  Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 399, ch. 81, § 18(a), 
eff. Sept. 1, 1983.


	§ 33.007. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION FUND.  (a) Funds 
received from assessments for handling charges pursuant to Section 
33.006 of this code shall be paid to the department and deposited in 
a separate account in the state treasury subject to withdrawal on 
authorization of the commissioner.
	(b)  The funds may be used only for necessary expenses 
incurred in operating the commodity distribution and food stamp 
programs, and their use is subject to the rules of the department, 
the provisions of this chapter, and the provisions of the general 
appropriation acts of the legislature.
	(c)  If the commodity distribution program or food stamp 
program is terminated, funds remaining in the account after all due 
and just accounts have been paid shall be refunded to the 
contributors on a pro rata basis.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2354, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.008. SALE OF USED COMMODITY CONTAINERS.  The 
department may sell used commodity containers.  Proceeds from the 
sales in each distribution district shall be deposited in the 
commodity distribution fund and used for the commodity distribution 
program.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2355, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.010. SALE OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY.  If the 
commodity distribution and/or food stamp programs are terminated, 
equipment and property purchased with funds from the commodity 
distribution fund shall be sold by competitive bids.  The proceeds 
from the sales shall be deposited in the commodity distribution 
fund in each district and distributed in the manner specified by 
Section 33.009 of this code.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2355, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979. 


	§ 33.011. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES;  PENALTIES.  (a) A 
person commits an offense if the person knowingly uses, alters, or 
transfers food stamp benefit permits in any manner not authorized 
by law.  An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor 
if the value of the food stamp benefit permits is less than $200 and 
a felony of the third degree if the value of the food stamp benefit 
permits is $200 or more.
	(b)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly 
possesses food stamp benefit permits when not authorized by law to 
possess them, knowingly redeems food stamp benefit permits when not 
authorized by law to redeem them, or knowingly redeems food stamp 
benefit permits for purposes not authorized by law.  An offense 
under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the 
food stamp benefit permits is less than $200 and a felony of the 
third degree if the value of the food stamp benefit permits is $200 
or more.
	(c)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly 
possesses blank authorizations to participate in the food stamp 
program when not authorized by law to possess them.  An offense 
under this subsection is a felony of the third degree.
	(d)  When cash, exchange value, or food stamp benefit permits 
of various values are obtained in violation of this section 
pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, whether 
from the same or several sources, the conduct may be considered as 
one offense and the values aggregated in determining the grade of 
the offense.
	(e)  The department may contract with county commissioners 
courts to provide funds to pay for professional and support 
services necessary for the enforcement of any criminal offense that 
involves illegally obtaining, possessing, or misusing food stamps.
	(f)  For the purposes of Subsections (a) and (b), the value 
of food stamp benefit permits is the cash or exchange value obtained 
in violation of this section.
	(g)  In this section, "food stamp benefit permits" includes:                   
		(1)  food stamp coupons;                                                      
		(2)  electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards;  and                            
		(3)  authorizations to participate in the food stamp 
program.               

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2355, ch. 842, art. 1, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1979.  Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2435, ch. 842, art. 2, 
§ 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1979;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 249, § 1, 
2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 788, § 1, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1997.


	§ 33.012. CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT PROGRAM AS 
REPRESENTATIVE.  The department shall provide an individual's food 
stamp allotment to the residential chemical dependency treatment 
program in which the person resides to the extent allowed under 
Section 8(f), Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. Section 2017(e)), if 
the individual designates the program as the individual's 
authorized representative.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 663, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.           


	§ 33.013. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES.  (a) Each 
local food stamp office shall compile and maintain a current list of 
emergency food providers in the area served by the local food stamp 
office and refer individuals who need food to local programs that 
may be able to provide assistance.
	(b)  The department shall establish regional or statewide 
toll-free telephone hotlines to provide emergency food information 
and to refer needy individuals to local programs that may be able to 
provide assistance.  The department shall publish the telephone 
number for referrals in the emergency telephone numbers section of 
local telephone books.  The department shall display this telephone 
number in all of its offices.
	(c)  Where emergency food programs do not exist, the Texas 
Department of Human Services office shall assist community groups 
in establishing emergency food assistance programs.
	(d)  The department may establish other local, regional, or 
statewide programs to provide emergency food information and 
referral services where needed and where none presently exist.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 150, § 2, eff. Aug. 26, 1985.  
Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1052, § 7.02, eff. Sept. 1, 
1987.


	§ 33.015. INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT AND RECERTIFICATION OF 
ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONS.  (a) In administering the food 
stamp program, the department shall, except as provided by 
Subsection (c), allow a person to comply with initial eligibility 
requirements, including any initial interview, and with subsequent 
periodic eligibility recertification requirements by telephone 
instead of through a personal appearance at department offices if:
		(1)  the person and each member of the person's 
household have no earned income and are elderly or disabled;  or
		(2)  the person is subject to a hardship, as determined 
by the department.  
	(b)  For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), a hardship includes a 
situation in which a person is prevented from personally appearing 
at department offices because the person is:
		(1)  subject to a work or training schedule;                                  
		(2)  subject to transportation difficulties;                                  
		(3)  subject to other difficulties arising from the 
person's residency in a rural area;
		(4)  subject to prolonged severe weather;                                     
		(5)  ill;  or                                                                 
		(6)  needed to care for a member of the person's 
household.                 
	(c)  The department may require a person described by 
Subsection (a) to personally appear at department offices to 
establish initial eligibility or to comply with periodic 
eligibility recertification requirements if the department 
considers a personal appearance necessary to:
		(1)  protect the integrity of the food stamp program;  
or                   
		(2)  prevent an adverse determination regarding the 
person's eligibility that would be less likely to occur if the 
person made a personal appearance.
	(d)  A person described by Subsection (a) may elect to 
personally appear at department offices to establish initial 
eligibility or to comply with periodic eligibility recertification 
requirements.
	(e)  The department shall require a person exempted under 
this section from making a personal appearance at department 
offices to provide verification of the person's entitlement to the 
exemption on initial eligibility certification and on each 
subsequent periodic eligibility recertification.  If the person 
does not provide verification and the department considers the 
verification necessary to protect the integrity of the food stamp 
program, the department shall initiate a fraud referral to the 
department's office of inspector general.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 93, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.            


	§ 33.022. APPLICATION ASSISTANCE.  (a) On request of an 
applicant, the department shall assist the applicant in filling out 
forms and completing the application process.
	(b)  The department shall inform each applicant of the 
availability of assistance.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 150, § 6, eff. Aug. 26, 1985.           


	§ 33.023. INFORMATION VERIFICATION.  (a) The department 
shall develop and implement for expedited issuance a uniform 
procedure for verifying information required of an applicant.
	(b)  In developing the uniform procedure, the department 
shall attempt to minimize the cost and complexity of the procedure 
to the applicant.
	(c)  The department shall not require applicants for 
expedited service to verify more eligibility items than the minimum 
necessary to conform to the federal regulations and shall assist 
the applicant in obtaining materials needed to verify an 
application.  The department shall not deny or delay determination 
of eligibility due to lack of verification of items that may be 
postponed if they cannot be verified within the timeframes 
prescribed by the federal regulations.
	(d)  The department shall post a notice in each of its 
offices indicating to whom an applicant or client can talk to 
resolve problems or complaints.  This notice should indicate 
persons available to handle problems in local, regional, and state 
offices.  Notification of the existence of each office and 
complaint procedures shall be posted in each food stamp office and 
in materials made available to applicants regarding the application 
process.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 150, § 7, eff. Aug. 26, 1985.           


	§ 33.024. SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.  (a) In this 
section:              
		(1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.                               
		(2)  "Field office" means a field office of a special 
nutrition program administered by the department.
		(3)  "Summer program" means the Summer Food Service 
Program.                
	(b)  The department and the agency shall develop a plan to 
ensure that by June 15, 1997, children residing in school districts 
in which 60 percent or more children are eligible for free or 
reduced-price meals will have access to the summer program.  The 
plan shall provide a time line for implementation effective the 
summer of 1994 through June 15, 1997.  The department and the agency 
shall each designate a person on their respective administrative 
staffs who shall be charged with coordinating activities pursuant 
to this requirement.
	(c)  The agency shall provide to the department, in October 
following each school year, a listing of those school districts 
which had at least:
		(1)  90 percent of children in the district eligible 
for free or reduced-price meals during the 1992-1993 school year;
		(2)  80 percent of children in the district eligible 
for free or reduced-price meals during the 1993-1994 school year;
		(3)  70 percent of children in the district eligible 
for free or reduced-price meals during the 1994-1995 school year;  
and
		(4)  60 percent of children in the district eligible 
for free or reduced-price meals during 1995-1996 school year and 
each school year thereafter.
	(d)  By November 30 of each year, the department and the 
agency shall jointly notify the following of their joint 
responsibility to provide or arrange for the provision of a summer 
program the following summer:
		(1)  each listed school district that does not have a 
summer program sponsor in the district;  and
		(2)  nutrition program field offices.                                         
	(e)  School district facilities shall be utilized for the 
summer program unless:
		(1)  the district provides documentation, verified by 
the department and the agency, showing that the cost to the district 
exceeds the funds available for the summer program;  or
		(2)  the Department of Human Services verifies that the 
program will operate at adequate alternative facilities.
	(f)  Each notified school district shall respond to the 
department and the agency no later than January 31 of the following 
year and either indicate its intent to operate a summer program in 
the following summer or request a waiver of the requirement to 
operate a summer program, as provided by Subsection (g).
	(g)  A waiver under Subsection (f) may be granted by the 
department and the agency, to a school district if:
		(1)  the district demonstrates to the department and 
the agency that:       
			(A)  there are fewer than 100 children in the 
district currently eligible for free or reduced-price meals;
			(B)  transportation remains an insurmountable 
obstacle despite consultation by the district with public transit 
providers;
			(C)  the district is unable to operate a summer 
program due to renovation or construction within the district and 
an appropriate alternative provider or site is not available;  or
			(D)  the district is unable to operate a summer 
program due to other extenuating circumstances and an appropriate 
alternative provider or site is not available;  and
		(2)  the district works with the field offices to 
identify other persons and agencies in the district who were 
contacted as potential providers or sites for the summer program.
	(h)  If the school district has requested a waiver under 
Subsection (f) and has been unable to provide a list of possible 
sponsors to the department, the field offices shall continue 
efforts to locate an alternative sponsor for the summer program.
	(i)  The department, in consultation with the agency, shall 
publish rules and procedures for obtaining a waiver under 
Subsection (f).  A waiver shall be for a one-year period.
	(j)  Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, 
the department and the agency shall provide to the Governor's 
Office of Budget and Planning, the Legislative Budget Board, and 
the state auditor a report that includes a listing of school 
districts identified as described in Subsection (c) that have 
become sponsors of a summer program.  The report must also include a 
listing of identified school districts that failed to satisfy the 
requirements of this section.  The report must also include the 
costs, above federal funds, incurred by the school districts and 
the state in order to comply with this section.  The department 
shall notify members of the legislature and the standing committees 
of the senate and house of representatives having primary 
jurisdiction over the department of the filing of the report.
	(k)  The department shall develop and implement an outreach 
program to increase participation in the summer program if funds 
are appropriated or otherwise made available for that purpose.  The 
department shall design the outreach program to:
		(1)  increase participation of children from 
low-income families;           
		(2)  increase the number of summer programs offered 
across this state, with particular emphasis on increasing programs 
in needy communities;
		(3)  encourage school districts and public and private 
nonprofit agencies to form partnerships to develop summer programs 
that combine educational activities, such as reading enrichment, 
with the provision of meals;  and
		(4)  promote any other goal established by the 
department relating to increased participation in the summer 
program.
	(l)  The outreach program required by Subsection (k) must 
target communities and schools that have the highest percentage of 
eligible children and include:
		(1)  presentations to public schools, public entities, 
and private nonprofit agencies that would be eligible to 
participate in the summer program;
		(2)  dissemination of information regarding 
eligibility requirements and application procedures;
		(3)  continual support and technical assistance to 
existing programs to increase participation levels and to ensure 
that the programs continue to operate;  and
		(4)  public service announcements that publicize the 
summer program and that appear on local television and radio 
stations.
	(m)  The department shall administer a grant program 
designed to encourage eligible organizations to serve as local 
sponsors or meal preparation sites for the summer program by 
awarding a financial supplement for each meal served from funds 
appropriated or otherwise made available for that purpose.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 328, § 2, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.  
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 693, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 
1995;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 6.55, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 719, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.


	§ 33.025. NUTRITION EDUCATION AND OUTREACH FOR THOSE 
ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMPS.  (a) The department shall develop and 
implement a plan of operation to provide nutrition education and 
outreach to persons eligible for food stamps.
	(b)  The plan of operation for education and outreach shall:                   
		(1)  ensure that low-income consumers are provided with 
informational materials that include but are not limited to 
information on:
			(A)  food budgeting for low-income consumers;                                
			(B)  purchasing and preparing low-cost 
nutritional meals;                  
			(C)  basic nutrition and healthy foods;                                      
			(D)  the availability of food stamps;                                        
			(E)  the eligibility requirements for food 
stamps;  and                    
			(F)  the application procedures for receiving 
food stamps;                 
		(2)  identify a target population for the informational 
activities, which may include:
			(A)  recipients of the Supplemental Food Program 
for Women, Infants and Children;
			(B)  families which have children who are eligible 
for the free or reduced-priced meals programs;
			(C)  recipients of commodity surplus foods;                                  
			(D)  senior citizens attending nutrition sites 
and participating in nutritional activities;
			(E)  clients of emergency food pantries;                                     
			(F)  farm workers or migrants;  and                                          
			(G)  others who may benefit from the information 
including but not limited to senior citizens, persons with 
disabilities, and working poor families;
		(3)  identify geographical areas, if any, which 
specifically will be targeted;  and
		(4)  ensure that all informational activities are 
multilingual and available in accessible alternative formats.
	(c)  The department shall submit the plan of operation to the 
Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of 
Agriculture for approval, making the department eligible for 
reimbursement for 50 percent of the cost of the informational 
activities.
	(d)  The department shall cooperate with other state 
agencies that currently operate nutrition education programs.
	(e)  The department shall enlist the assistance of pro bono 
public relations firms where available.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 328, § 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.           


	§ 33.026. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM:  REQUIRED 
NOTICES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUTHORITY.  (a) Before adopting or 
changing a department rule or policy relating to the federal Child 
and Adult Care Food Program, the department shall submit the 
proposed action to the department's advisory committee on that 
program for comment, unless immediate action is required by federal 
law.  If immediate action is required by federal law, the department 
shall submit the action for comment at the earliest possible date.
	(b)  The department shall provide written notice to each 
sponsoring organization of any modification or clarification of 
department rules or policies relating to the federal Child and 
Adult Care Food Program.  Notice provided through electronic mail 
is considered to be written notice for purposes of this subsection.
	(c)  The department's advisory committee on the federal 
Child and Adult Care Food Program may:
		(1)  conduct public hearings in accordance with 
department procedures;      
		(2)  refer issues relating to the program to the board 
for discussion;  and 
		(3)  recommend modifications to the department's 
training programs for sponsoring organizations and other persons 
participating in the program.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 719, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.           


	§ 33.027. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM:  ELECTRONIC 
FILING.  (a) In administering the federal Child and Adult Care Food 
Program, the department shall, unless prohibited by federal law, 
permit a sponsoring organization or other person participating in 
the program to submit applications and other required information 
to the department in an electronic format or through the use of 
electronically produced forms.
	(b)  The department may implement Subsection (a) by 
developing necessary computer systems or by using computer systems 
developed or made available for that purpose by a sponsoring 
organization or other appropriate person.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 719, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2001.