National Food Stamp Reform Act

(Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #138 (52-22))

National Food Stamp Reform Act - Redefines the meaning of the term "household" as used in the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Deletes the existing requirement that individuals sharing common living quarters be related in order to qualify as a household.

Includes within the meaning of the term "retail food store" any private, nonprofit, cooperative food purchasing venture in which members pay for food purchased prior to receipt of such food. Authorizes such cooperatives to redeem members' food coupons.

Amends the definition of the term "elderly person" to delete the requirement that such person be either living alone or with a spouse.

Adds definitions of the terms "nutritionally adequate diet" and "coupon vendor.

Prohibits the distribution of federally donated foods to households except as is considered necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture to effect an orderly transition on an Indian reservation from a food distribution program to the food coupon program.

Sets forth standards of eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. States that the income standards of eligibility shall be the income poverty guidelines for the nonfarm United States prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget as adjusted semiannually. Defines the terms "gross income" and "household income" as used in determining the eligibility. Sets forth the exemptions allowed in determining the amount of each type of income attributable to a household.

Authorizes the Secretary to establish temporary emergency eligibility standards for households that are victims of a disaster.

Directs the Secretary to provide that no household shall be eligible for the food stamp program if such household includes: an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 60 (subject to specified exceptions) who without good cause fails to register for employment at a State employment services, or otherwise fails to attempt to find work, or refuses to accept employment or voluntarily quits any job. Excepts from such restriction households in which there are bona fide students, but suspends such exception during breaks of 30 days or more in such students' schooling.

States that no person shall be eligible to receive food coupons who is not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

Makes households ineligible for participation in the food stamp program which refuse to submit eligibility information to the State agency. Makes ineligible for one year those households found guilty of fraud by a court in connection with participation in such program.

States that no individual shall be considered a household member for food stamp program purposes who: (1) has reached his eighteenth birthday; (2) is enrolled in an institution of higher education; and (3) is properly claimed or could be claimed as a dependent by a taxpayer who is not a member of a dependent household.

Declares that no household that knowingly transfers liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for the food stamp program shall be eligible to participate in the program for a minimum of 30 days.

States that no person who receives supplementary security income benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act, State supplementary payments under such title, or payments under specified provisions of title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act, shall be considered a member of a household for purposes of this Act during specified months.

Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop a system by which, to the greatest extent feasible, a single interview shall be conducted to determine eligibility for the Food Stamp Program and for the supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act or the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program under title IV of the Social Security Act.

Directs the Secretary to develop procedures for the control of food coupon inventories held by coupon vendors. Establishes criminal penalties for violation of such procedures by vendors. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations governing the delivery of coupons to vendors and for the custody, control, and storage of coupons in the hands of vendors to secure such coupons against theft, embezzlement, misuse, loss, or destruction. Establishes criminal penalties for the violation of such regulations.

Establishes the face value of the coupon allotment which State agencies shall be authorized to issue to eligible households. States that such allotment will be in an amount sufficient to allow a household to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet.

Sets the charge for a household coupon allotment at 25 percent of the household's income. Provides for the purchase of a smaller allotment at the household's option.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, to prescribe regulations to be followed by food coupon vendors or any officers, employees, or agents thereof with respect to the depositing of funds received for such coupons and the accounting for such funds to the State and Federal Government.

Requires vendors to deposit such funds weekly in accordance with Department of Agriculture regulations. Requires more frequent deposit of balances of $1,000 or more.

States that vendors act as fiduciaries of the Federal Government when receiving food coupon funds. Prohibits the use of such funds by vendors for the benefit of anyone other than the Federal Government.

Requires vendors to report periodically to State and Federal Government agencies the amount of funds deposited.

Establishes criminal penalties for the violation of the regulations established in accordance with this Act.

Directs the extension of the nutrition education program of the Department of Agriculture to the greatest extent possible, including the development and distribution of printed materials.

Directs the States to include in their plans for the administration of the food stamp program procedures for: (1) the expedited payment to households of the bonus value of any coupon allotment which has been wrongfully denied, delayed, or terminated as a result of an administrative error; and (2) the expedited determination of an applicant household's eligibility.

Establishes measures by which the Secretary may ensure the compliance of State agencies with regulations governing State food stamp programs.

Authorizes the use of food coupons by the elderly and disabled to purchase "meals on wheels.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe regulations permitting applicants and recipients of supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act to apply for food stamps at supplemental security income certification offices.

Provides for the use of multilingual personnel and material in the administration of the food stamp program in areas where numerous persons speak a language other than English.

Increases the criminal penalties for the fraudulent use of food coupons and authorization to purchase cards.

Directs the Secretary to establish a realistic set of national error tolerance level goals to improve quality control and administrative efficiency under this Act.

Requires each State to develop and submit to the Secretary for approval, as a part of the plan of operation required to be submitted, a Quality Control Plan for the State which shall specify the actions such State proposes to take in order to meet the error tolerance goals established by the Secretary.

Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress, at the same time the President submits his budget to the Congress each year, an Annual Evaluation Plan setting forth the Department of Agriculture's plans for evaluating the major objectives of the food stamp program, the extent to which such objectives are being achieved, and the cost and time requirements for carrying out such plans.

Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress, at the same time the President submits his budget to the Congress each year, a report entitled "Annual Report on the Food Stamp Program.

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct experimental projects for purposes of increasing the program's efficiency and improving the delivery of benefits to eligible households.

Directs the Secretary to implement a pilot project testing the effect of elimination of the purchase requirements specified in this Act.

Makes any household as a result of the Scotia coal mine disasters which occurred on March 9 and 11, 1976, at Oven Fork, Kentucky, eligible for a coupon allotment under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 for a period of six months without having to meet any requirements of eligibility for such allotment prescribed by law or regulation.

Requires the Secretary to conduct a study relating to the current utilization of automatic data processing equipment by States and localities in the administration of the food stamp program, and report his findings to Congress not later than January 1, 1977.

Provides that the Secretary shall, during the period from enactment of this statute until September 30, 1978, purchase agricultural commodities with funds appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury to maintain the traditional level of commodity food assistance on Indian reservations not requesting a food stamp program and on Indian reservations making an orderly transition to the food stamp program.