(a)  There shall be established a retail supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) incentives pilot program to be administered by the department of human services. Funds appropriated for the program shall be expended first for the implementation and administration of the retail SNAP incentives program to promote healthy food access and nutrition among Rhode Island SNAP recipients.

(1)  SNAP households will receive fifty cents ($0.50) credit on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card for each one dollar ($1.00) spent on eligible fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, up to a monthly limit as determined by the department.

(2)  This pilot program shall take effect on January 1, 2023, and operate until appropriated funds are expended.

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(b)  The department of human services shall promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures necessary for the implementation of this section including, but not limited to the following:

(1)  Eligibility for pilot participation;

(2)  Purchases eligible to earn incentive payments;

(3)  Monthly incentive limits that may be earned by participating households; and

(4)  Eligible uses of earned incentive payments.

(c)  The department shall report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees regarding the amount of credits issued pursuant to this section and administrative expenses, no later than February 15, 2024.