[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 32183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12688]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 29, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 32183]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

7 CFR Part 246

RIN 0584-AE21


Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and 
Children (WIC): Implementation of the Electronic Benefit Transfer-
Related Provisions of Public Law 111-296; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would revise regulations governing the WIC 
Program, incorporating the provisions set forth in the Healthy, Hunger-
Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) related to Electronic Benefit Transfer 
(EBT) for the WIC Program. The comment period is being extended to 
provide additional time for interested parties to review the proposed 
rule, to June 29, 2013.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule that was published on 
February 28, 2013 (78 FR 13549) has been extended from May 29, 2013 to 
June 29, 2013. To be assured of consideration, comments must be 
postmarked on or before June 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: FNS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
proposed rule. Comments may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Mail: Send written comments to Debra R. Whitford, 
Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition 
Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, Virginia 
22302, (703) 305-2746.
     Web site: Go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments through the link at the 
Supplemental Food Programs Division Web site.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be 
included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please 
be advised that the substance of the comments and the identities of the 
individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to 
public disclosure. All written submissions will be available for public 
inspection at the address above during regular business hours (8:30 
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra R. Whitford, Director, 
Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 528, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 
305-2746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This proposed rule would amend the WIC regulations to implement 
provisions related to EBT in the WIC Program included in Public Law 
111-296, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), signed into 
law on December 13, 2010. The HHFKA amended provisions of the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) (CNA). The EBT 
provisions of the HHFKA that are included in this proposed rule are: 
(1) A definition of EBT; (2) a mandate that all WIC State agencies 
implement EBT systems by October 1, 2020; (3) a requirement for State 
agencies to submit annual EBT status reports on their progress toward 
EBT implementation; (4) revisions to current provisions that prohibit 
imposition of costs on retail vendors; (5) a requirement for the 
Secretary of Agriculture to establish minimum lane equipage standards; 
(6) a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to establish 
technical standards and operating rules; and (7) a requirement that 
State agencies use the National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database. 
FNS issued policy and guidance to WIC State agencies on the 
implementation of the legislative requirements addressed in this 
rulemaking that were effective on October 1, 2010. However, selected 
areas of the law are discretionary and therefore, FNS is seeking public 
comment on several of the requirements contained in this proposed rule. 
The comment period is extended to provide additional time for 
interested parties to review and submit comments on the proposed EBT 
changes until June 29, 2013.

    Dated: May 22, 2013.
Jeffrey J. Tribiano,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12688 Filed 5-28-13; 8:45 am]
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