Bill · S. 3842· Senate(119-S-3842)
21st Century WIC Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/11/2026
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Roger Marshall
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "21st Century WIC Act of 2026" aims to update the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. This bill allows individuals to complete WIC certifications, recertifications, or nutritional risk evaluations through various remote formats, such as telephone or video technology. It also permits state agencies to grant temporary eligibility to applicants while they wait for required data collection. Additionally, the bill expands ways for participants to receive food instruments through remote issuance or mailing. Finally, it requires a report to Congress regarding the use of these remote technologies.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
The bill helps low-income households access nutrition assistance more easily through remote options and interim eligibility.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill increases healthcare access by allowing remote WIC certifications and easier delivery of food instruments.
Would children be better off under this?+5
The bill makes it easier for children to receive WIC benefits through flexible certification and delivery methods.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Flexibility in Appointments: Individuals seeking certification, recertification, or nutritional risk evaluations can now choose between in-person, telephone, or video technology appointments (Section 2(a)(i)).
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Immediate Program Access: State agencies are permitted to provide temporary certification to applicants who meet income standards, allowing them to participate in the program immediately without waiting for a full nutritional risk evaluation (Section 2(a)(iv)(I)).
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Easier Benefit Receipt: Participants can receive food instruments, including electronic benefit transfer cards, through means that do not require them to travel to a local agency, such as through mailing or remote issuance (Section 3(a)(B)(i)).
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Accessibility Standards: The bill ensures that any remote format used for appointments remains accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 2(a)(ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement for Follow-up Data: Individuals who use remote formats for certification must have their anthropometric data collected by the state agency within a specific timeframe of 30 to 90 days (Section 2(a)(iii)).
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Risk of Losing Temporary Status: Temporary certification expires if the state agency does not collect the required data within 91 days or if the agency determines the individual does not meet nutritional risk criteria (Section 2(a)(iv)(III)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Children+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Women+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6
- 2/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York