WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 689

SNAP/FOOD STAMPS: Provides relative to public assistance benefits for children (RE SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beryl Amedée

HB 689 requires DCFS to notify LDH within 72 hours of custody changes so benefits (SNAP, WIC, FITAP, Medicaid) are promptly adjusted and fraud prevented.

Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 689

Summary of HB 689 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Title

SNAP/FOOD STAMPS: Provides relative to public assistance benefits for children

Purpose and Intent

  • To streamline and coordinate public assistance benefits when a child is placed in or returned to the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
  • To enable the Department of Health (LDH) to promptly adjust benefits (SNAP, WIC, FITAP, Medicaid) to reflect changes in a child’s household status.
  • To support accuracy of benefits and prevent improper payments by requiring reporting and interagency collaboration, including notifying fraud units when changes are not reported.

Key Provisions

Reporting of Household Changes

  • DCFS must report to LDH within 72 hours of a child being placed in DCFS custody.
  • The information reported must identify the child and the child’s household so LDH can determine benefit adjustments.

LDH Actions Upon Receiving Report

  • LDH must immediately:
    1. Review whether either parent is receiving public assistance benefits due to the child being included in the parent’s household.
    2. Adjust benefits for the parent’s household related to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), or FITAP (Louisiana’s Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program) to reflect the new circumstance.
    3. If the child is enrolled in Medicaid, issue a new Medicaid managed care insurance card for the child at the child’s new residence.

When a Child Returns to Parent’s Custody

  • If the child (under 18) is returned to the custody of the parent, DCFS must report this return to LDH.

Benefits Assessment for Children in Other Households

  • If LDH receives an application for benefits for a child who is included in another household that already receives benefits, LDH must assess and determine the child’s current residence and adjust the benefit allotment accordingly.

Fraud and Non-Reporting

  • If LDH determines that an individual failed to report a change in household circumstances and is receiving benefits for a child who no longer lives in the household, the case should be referred to the department’s fraud detection unit for investigation and recovery of ineligible benefits.

Additions and Codification

  • Creates new R.S. 46:109, titled “Public assistance benefits; change in household; reporting; fraud.”

Who is Affected

  • Public assistance beneficiaries, particularly:
    • Families receiving SNAP, WIC, or FITAP benefits that include a child.
    • Children in DCFS custody who may move between DCFS custody and parental custody.
    • Medicaid enrollees who are children affected by changes in custody/status.
    • DCFS and LDH case management and eligibility staff responsible for determining and implementing benefit adjustments.
    • Individuals who may be investigated by LDH fraud units for failure to report changes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Timeliness: DCFS must report to LDH within 72 hours of a child’s placement in DCFS custody.
  • Immediate action: LDH is required to act promptly upon receipt of the report (no extended waiting period specified beyond “immediately”).
  • Ongoing reporting: DCFS must notify LDH when a child under 18 is returned to parental custody.
  • Oversight: LDH assesses cross-household benefit situations (e.g., child in another household that receives benefits) to ensure accurate allotments.
  • Enforcement: Failure to report changes leading to ineligible benefits can trigger referral to the fraud detection unit.

Effective Date

  • The bill text provided does not specify an effective date; if enacted, the effective date would typically be addressed in the bill as enacted or in a separate provision.

Bottom Line

HB 689 seeks tighter interagency coordination between DCFS and LDH to promptly adjust public assistance benefits for children when custody changes occur, ensure accurate Medicaid coverage for affected children, and establish mechanisms to detect and address improper or fraudulent benefit receipt resulting from unreported changes in household status.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.