AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES; REQUIRING NOTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMPS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 7, Article 1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "NOTICE OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED.--The department shall include a notice with an income tax refund or other notice sent to a taxpayer whose income is within one hundred thirty percent of federal poverty guidelines as defined by the United States census bureau that the taxpayer may be eligible for food stamps. Included in the notice shall be general information about food stamps, such as where to apply for food stamps, based on information received by the department from the human services department by January 30 of each calendar year."

     Section 2. Section 27-2-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973, Chapter 376, Section 14) is amended to read:

     "27-2-10. FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.--The income support division of the human services department:

          A. is authorized to establish a food stamp program to carry out the federal Food Stamp Act, as may be amended from time to time, and regulations issued pursuant to that act, subject to the continuation of the federal food stamp program and the availability of federal funds; and

          B. shall by January 30 of each calendar year notify the taxation and revenue department of the location of food stamp offices in New Mexico for inclusion in a notice sent with an income tax refund or other notice to a taxpayer whose income is within one hundred thirty percent of federal poverty guidelines."

HB 562

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