(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the department may design, implement, and fund an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system for the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Sections 10066, 10067, and 10068 of, and subdivision (m) of Section 10072 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall apply to the administration of this section.
(2) The department shall not implement any EBT system authorized by this section until the department completes a feasibility study, and funding for the system is provided in the annual Budget Act.
(b) The department shall seek the advice of the Electronic Benefits Transfer Committee, created by Section 10067 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, in implementing this section, and shall obtain the approval of the United States Department of Agriculture, which is the federal governing agency, prior to the establishment of any EBT system.
(c) The department shall develop a plan to determine the feasibility of implementing an EBT system for the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children by January 1, 2003, and shall report its findings to the Legislature by July 1, 2003.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 720, Sec. 2. (AB 1614) Effective January 1, 2015.)