New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 18 / September 25, 2018

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Human Service Department (HSD) will hold a public hearing to allow public comment on the General Provisions and SNAP regulations to be published September 25, 2018. The hearing will be held on October 26, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the HSD Administrative Services Division (ASD) conference room, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505. The conference room is at the ASD Rodeo Building, first floor. The Department is holding a public hearing to adopt the proposed rules, pursuant to Section 14-4-5.2 NMSA.

HSD is promulgating proposed regulations to the General Provisions and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include:

- aligning the timeframe of verification in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR);

- removing the language which allows the request for extension of time to provide verification;

- clarify a reconsideration of a disability determination for General Assistance;

- addition of household and ISD caused delay language for extension of time beyond the 30^th day;

- updating regulations regarding the status of a fleeing felon and probation/parole violator to be in compliance with CFR;

- updating application time limits to be in compliance with CFR;

- removing language which allows the request for extension of time to delay the denial of the SNAP application;

- updating language from ISS to ISD;

- updating incorrect policy references;

- updating Medicaid 45-day determination of eligibility to mirror correct language;

- added 90-day application processing timeframes for Medicaid; and

- added reference to CFR for citizenship and identity for Medicaid.

The Department is proposing these rules pursuant to the statutory authority of the food stamp program as authorized by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as amended (7 U.S.C. 2011-2036). Regulations issued pursuant to the act are contained in 7 CFR Parts 270-282. State authority for administering the food stamp program is contained in Chapter 27 NMSA, 1978. Administration of the Human Services Department (HSD), including its authority to promulgate regulations, is governed by Chapter 9, Article 8 NMSA 1978 (Repl. 1983).

The Human Services Register Vol. 41 No. 15 outlining the regulations is available on the HSD’s website at: http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForInformation/income-support-division-registers.aspx. Individuals wishing to testify or to request a copy of the final regulations should contact the Income Support Division, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2348, or by calling 505-827-7254.

If you are a person with a disability and you require this information in an alternative format, or you require a special accommodation to participate in any HSD public hearing, program, or service, please contact the Assistant General Counsel/American Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 505-827-6201 or through the New Mexico Relay system, at 711 or toll free at 1-800-659-1779. The Department requests at least a 10-day advance notice to provide requested alternative formats and special accommodations.

Individuals who do not wish to attend the hearing may submit written comments which must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing, October 26, 2018. Please send comments to:

Human Services Department

P.O. Box 2348

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348

You may also send comments electronically to: HSD-isdrules@state.nm.us.