Public Act 100-0620
 
SB0351 EnrolledLRB100 05063 KTG 15073 b



    AN ACT concerning public aid.

 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the General Assembly: 







 
 
    Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by 
adding Section 12-4.13b as follows:
 
    (305 ILCS 5/12-4.13b new)
    Sec. 12-4.13b. College student eligibility for 
supplemental nutrition assistance benefits.
    (a) For the purposes of Section 273.5(b)(11)(ii) of Title 7 
of the Code of Federal Regulations, an educational program 
offered at a community college under the Carl D. Perkins Career 
and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 
109-270) that could be a component of a SNAP Employment and 
Training (E&T) program, as identified by the Department of 
Human Services, shall be considered an employment and training 
program under Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, unless prohibited by federal law.
    (b) The Department of Human Services, in consultation with 
representatives of the Illinois Community College Board, ISAC, 
the Illinois Workforce Investment Board, and advocates for 
students and SNAP recipients, shall establish a protocol to 
identify and verify all potential exemptions to the eligibility 
rule described in Section 273.5(a) of Title 7 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, and to identify and verify a student's 
participation in educational programs, including, but not 
limited to, self-initiated placements, that would exempt a 
student from the eligibility rule described in Section 273.5(a) 
of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.  To the extent 
possible, this consultation shall take place through existing 
workgroups convened by the Department of Human Services.
    (c) If the United States Department of Agriculture requires 
federal approval of the exemption designation established 
pursuant to subsection (a) and the protocol established 
pursuant to subsection (b), the Department of Human Services 
shall seek and obtain that approval before publishing the 
guidance or regulation required by subsection (e). 
    (d)(1) This Section does not require the Department of 
Human Services to offer a particular component, support 
services, or workers' compensation to a college student found 
eligible for an exemption pursuant to this Section.
    (2) This Section does not restrict or require the use of 
federal funds for the financing of SNAP E&T programs.
    (3) This Section does not require an institution of higher 
education to verify eligibility for SNAP. 
    (e) The Department of Human Services shall adopt any rules 
necessary to implement the provisions of subsections (a), (b), 
(c), and (d). 
  
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.