With respect to the vouchers or coupons or drafts authorized by the bureau of public health in the administration of the special supplementary food program for women, infants and children, commonly known as the WIC program, under the auspices and guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture, such vouchers or coupons or drafts, when received by a vendor from a holder thereof in exchange for food, food stuffs, or authorized goods or services, may be deposited by the vendor in any federally insured bank in this state for collection and payment thereof, and such bank shall accept the same as equivalent to a negotiable instrument from a holder in due course pursuant to chapter forty-six of this code, and shall collect the funds for such vouchers or coupons so received.
All moneys received from the United States Department of Agriculture under the WIC program, except for moneys to be used for administration, shall be deposited by the commissioner of the bureau of public health in a special account in a federally insured bank in this state, and notwithstanding other provisions of this code to the contrary, this special account may be funded by the commissioner of the bureau of public health as a special advance payment imprest funds account to be reconciled at least annually by the state Treasurer from which said bank can daily make required wire transfers to pay each day's presentments of vouchers or coupons or drafts. The commissioner of the bureau of public health shall select the bank by competitive bidding in the same manner as the state Treasurer selects depository banks for state funds, subject to applicable federal laws or regulations governing such selection.
The provisions of this section enacted in the year one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine shall take effect on April 1, one thousand nine hundred ninety, except that the commissioner shall commence procedures for the selection of the bank and for implementation of the other provisions of this section upon the passage hereof.
Nothing in this section shall make such vouchers or coupons or drafts negotiable instruments for any purpose other than expressly set forth herein or as permitted by applicable federal laws or regulations.