Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Implementation of WIC Mandates of Public Law 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996

This interim rule amends regulations governing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to implement the nondiscretionary WIC provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, enacted on August 22, 1996. The provisions in this interim rule include elimination of the following provisions: required provision of written information on certain other assistance programs; State agency timeframes for action on local agency applications for participation in the WIC Program; annual evaluation of nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion efforts; and annual submission of a State Plan. In addition, this rule implements the option which allows State agencies to limit WIC services to citizens and qualified aliens. This rulemaking is intended to simplify the State Plan submission and approval process by eliminating unnecessary duplication, and to increase State agency flexibility in the administration and operation of the WIC Program.