21st Century WIC Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 3842
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-04T14:17:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to update the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (commonly called WIC). Its goal is to allow remote options for certifications and benefit delivery while maintaining program standards.
Key Provisions
- Remote Certification Options: Applicants can complete certification, recertification, or nutritional risk evaluations through in-person visits, telephone calls, video technology for real-time interaction, or other approved two-way formats. All formats must comply with disability access laws.
- Data Collection for Remote Cases: For non-in-person certifications, states must plan to gather height, weight, and similar measurements within 30 days and complete collection within 90 days.
- Interim Eligibility: States may grant temporary WIC participation based on income alone, with full nutritional risk review required within 90 days. Temporary benefits end after 91 days if data is not collected or if the person does not meet risk criteria.
- Remote Benefit Delivery: States may mail or issue food instruments (including electronic benefit cards) without requiring participants to visit a local office.
- Reporting Requirement: Within one year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture must report to Congress on remote technology use, its effects on participation and satisfaction, and best practices for digital tools and data security.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill removes the prior requirement for physical presence at most WIC appointments and replaces it with flexible remote formats. It also expands state authority to deliver benefits remotely and directs updates to related federal regulations.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: State WIC programs gain flexibility in scheduling and delivery but must update procedures for data collection and interim eligibility.
- Citizens: Improves access for families facing transportation, mobility, or scheduling barriers, potentially increasing enrollment among eligible pregnant women, infants, and young children.
- International relations: No direct effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible low-income women, infants, and children participating in WIC.
- State and local WIC agencies responsible for certifications and benefit issuance.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program and must produce the required report.
- Congress, through its oversight committees.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The changes build on existing WIC authority without altering core eligibility rules or creating new constitutional questions. The bill maintains income and nutritional risk standards while adding accessibility measures. It was introduced on a bipartisan basis.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- 21st Century WIC Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (8 pages)