SB 276

                                                          Introduced Version
           SENATE BILL No. 276
                 _____
              DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 16-35-1.7.
Synopsis: Farmers' market nutrition assistance programs. Requires,
subject to federal approval of any necessary plan, amendment, or
waiver, the Indiana department of health (state department) to provide
for: (1) a recipient of benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) to receive triple value for the recipient's
SNAP benefits; and (2) a recipient of benefits under the federal Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
Program (WIC) to receive triple value for the recipient's WIC benefits;
when used to purchase produce at a farmers' market that participates in
one or more specified federal programs administered by the state
department.
Effective: Upon passage.
                  Ford J.D., Pol Jr.
January 12, 2026, read first time and referred to Committee on Family and Children
Services.
2026  IN 276—LS 7074/DI 119
                                                                                       Introduced
            Second Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2026)
 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
   Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
  Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
 between statutes enacted by the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
                   SENATE BILL No. 276
    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
 health.
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1    SECTION 1. IC 16-35-1.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 UPON PASSAGE]:
4    Chapter 1.7. Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs
5    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "SNAP" has the meaning set
6 forth in IC 12-7-2-178.9.
7    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "WIC" has the meaning set forth
8 in IC 16-35-1.5-2.
9    Sec. 3. (a) Subject to subsection (b), the state department shall
10 provide for:
11      (1) an Indiana resident who receives SNAP benefits to receive
12      triple value for the recipient's SNAP benefits when used to
13      purchase produce at a farmers' market that participates in a
14      program funded in whole or in part through the federal Gus
15      Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, including:
16(A) the Double Up Indiana program; and
17(B) the Fresh Bucks program; and
 2026  IN 276—LS 7074/DI 119
                                 2
1(2) an Indiana resident who receives WIC benefits to receive
2triple value for the recipient's WIC benefits when used to
3purchase produce at a farmers' market that participates in
4the federal:
5(A) WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; or
6(B) Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program;
7 through price discounts, matching benefits, or a combination of
8 price discounts and matching benefits.
9    (b) If the state department determines that a plan amendment,
10 plan waiver, or other authorization by the United States
11 Department of Agriculture is necessary to implement subsection
12 (a), the state department:
13(1) shall, not later than September 1, 2026, request the
14necessary amendment, waiver, or authorization;
15(2) may delay implementation of subsection (a) until the
16amendment, waiver, or authorization is granted; and
17(3) shall begin implementing subsection (a) not later than
18thirty (30) days after the United States Department of
19Agriculture grants the amendment, waiver, or authorization.
20    SECTION 2. An emergency is declared for this act.
 2026  IN 276—LS 7074/DI 119