110 STAT. 2328 PUBLIC LAW 104-193—AUG. 22, 1996 "(B) the individual, if the individual leaves the center. "(2) DIRECT PAYMENT.— A State agency may require an individual referred to in paragraph (1) to designate the center in which the individual resides as the authorized representative of the individual for the purpose of receiving an allotment.". SEC. 831. CONDITION PRECEDENT FOR APPROVAL OF RETAIL FOOD STORES AND WHOLESALE FOOD CONCERNS. Section 9(a)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2018(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "No retail food store or wholesale food concern of a type determined by the Secretary, based on factors that include size, location, and type of items sold, shall be approved to be authorized or reauthorized for participation in the food stamp program unless an authorized employee of the Department of Agriculture, a designee of the Secretary, or, if practicable, an official of the State or local government designated by the Secretary has visited the store or concern for the purpose of determining whether the store or concern should be approved or reauthorized, as appropriate.". SEC. 832. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH AUTHORIZATION PERIODS. Section 9(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2018(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(3) AUTHORIZATION PERIODS.— The Secretary shall establish specific time periods during which authorization to accept and redeem coupons, or to redeem benefits through an electronic benefit transfer system, shall be valid under the food stamp program.". SEC. 833. INFORMATION FOR VERIFYING ELIGmiLITY FOR AUTHORIZATION. Section 9(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2018(c)) is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by inserting ", which may include relevant income and sales tax filing documents," after "submit information"; and (2) by inserting after the first sentence the following: "The regulations may require retail food stores and wholesale food concerns to provide written authorization for the Secretary to verify all relevant tax filings with appropriate agencies and to obtain corroborating documentation from other sources so that the accuracy of information provided by the stores and concerns may be verified.". SEC. 834. WATTING PERIOD FOR STORES THAT FAIL TO MEET AUTHORIZATION CRITERIA. Section 9(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2018(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "A retail food store or wholesale food concern that is denied approval to accept and redeem coupons because the store or concern does not meet criteria for approval established by the Secretary may not, for at least 6 months, submit a new application to participate in the program. The Secretary may establish a longer time period under the preceding sentence, including permanent disqualification, that reflects the severity of the basis of the denial.".
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