124 STAT. 3206 PUBLIC LAW 111–296—DEC. 13, 2010 Subtitle D—Special Supplemental Nutri- tion Program for Women, Infants, and Children SEC. 131. CERTIFICATION PERIODS. Section 17(d)(3)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(iii) CHILDREN.—A State may elect to certify participant children for a period of up to 1 year, if the State electing the option provided under this clause ensures that participant children receive required health and nutrition assessments.’’. Subtitle E—Miscellaneous SEC. 141. CHILDHOOD HUNGER RESEARCH. The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is amended by inserting after section 22 (42 U.S.C. 1769c) the following: ‘‘SEC. 23. CHILDHOOD HUNGER RESEARCH. ‘‘(a) RESEARCH ON CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD HUNGER.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct research on— ‘‘(A) the causes of childhood hunger and food insecurity; ‘‘(B) the characteristics of households with childhood hunger and food insecurity; and ‘‘(C) the consequences of childhood hunger and food insecurity. ‘‘(2) AUTHORITY.—In carrying out research under paragraph (1), the Secretary may— ‘‘(A) enter into competitively awarded contracts or cooperative agreements; or ‘‘(B) provide grants to States or public or private agen- cies or organizations, as determined by the Secretary. ‘‘(3) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to enter into a contract or cooperative agreement or receive a grant under this sub- section, a State or public or private agency or organization shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Sec- retary shall require. ‘‘(4) AREAS OF INQUIRY.—The Secretary shall design the research program to advance knowledge and understanding of information on the issues described in paragraph (1), such as— ‘‘(A) economic, health, social, cultural, demographic, and other factors that contribute to childhood hunger or food insecurity; ‘‘(B) the geographic distribution of childhood hunger and food insecurity; ‘‘(C) the extent to which— ‘‘(i) existing Federal assistance programs, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, reduce childhood hunger and food insecurity; and 42 USC 1769d.
