Substitute Bill No. 5033 Summary

• Public institutions of higher education must conduct biennial surveys beginning March 1, 2023, to assess food insecurity among students and collect demographic and barrier data.

• Each institution must evaluate and amend existing services or establish new programs by October 1, 2023, to serve at least 10% of identified food-insecure students, including options for SNAP assistance, low-cost meals, food pantries, and fruit/vegetable incentive programs.

• Institutions must submit biennial reports to the General Assembly's higher education committee by January 1, 2024, detailing survey results, programs offered, and student utilization rates.

• The Board of Regents and University of Connecticut must identify educational programs qualifying as employment and training programs that exempt students from SNAP work requirements under federal law, and post these lists online by July 1, 2023.

• The Department of Social Services must consider students receiving work-study financial aid as participating in a work-study program for SNAP eligibility purposes, and public institutions must notify students about SNAP qualification requirements and application procedures.