BILL NUMBER:  S6515

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the public health law, in relation
to directing the commissioner of health to establish an alternative
form of identification for utilization of the special supplemental
nutrition program for women, infants and children

 PURPOSE :

Directs the commissioner of health to establish a method by which
alternative identification can be presented at a point of sale when a
recipient of WIC's does not have his or her WIC's identification

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Sections one amends subdivision 1 of section 206 of the Public Health
Law by adding a new paragraph (w), directing the Department of Health
to establish a method by which by which consumers who are participants
in the WIC Program may use a method of identification other than the
identification provided by the program itself, in order to utilize
vouchers and/or checks issued by the Program.

Section two sets forth the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

              

As a matter of practicality, the processing of WIC-issued checks and
vouchers can be a time-consuming burden for supermarkets and other
stores attempting to quickly accommodate all customers. Adding to this
problem, New York law currently prohibits cashiers from accepting
these vouchers or checks when a customer is unable to present the
specific identification card issued by the WIC Program; even in cases
where a driver's license or other identification clearly indicates
that a customer is eligible for participation in the Program, that
customer must be refused by the store. This wrinkle further
perpetuates delays in the WIC redemption process, as well as may
contribute to a negative perception of a business establishment by a
consumer, when that establishment is simply seeking to follow existing
rules. Additionally, forcing a consumer to present a WIC Program
identification card to a cashier unnecessarily contributes to
scenarios where that consumer is subjected to unwarranted stigmas that
currently surround program participants. \

This legislation seeks to solve these problems by directing the
Department of Health to develop a methodology through which a program
participant's identification can be verified in a manner other than by
solely the furnishing of a program identification card.

 FISCAL IMPACT :

TBD.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

None. New bill.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.