A2359 2R

An Act concerning applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ¹[and] , amending ²the title and body of² P.L.2021, c.243,¹ supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes ¹, and making an appropriation¹ .

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

¹1. The title of P.L.2021, c.243 is amended to read as follows:

An Act concerning [the] participation [of senior citizens] in the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.¹

(cf: P.L.2021, c.243, Title)

¹2. Section 1 of P.L.2021, c.243 (C.44:10-81.3) is amended to read as follows:

1. a. The Commissioner of Human Services, to the maximum extent permissible under federal law, shall review and streamline the SNAP application process [for senior citizens], as provided in this section. The goal of the streamlining process shall be to [ensure that the number of senior SNAP participants either matches or exceeds New Jersey's overall SNAP participation rates] maximize the enrollment of eligible SNAP participants in New Jersey by increasing the accessibility of the SNAP application.

b. In streamlining the SNAP application process [for seniors], as required by this section, the commissioner shall, at a minimum[:

(1) develop and make available a simplified SNAP application form for use by seniors;

(2) provide for the increased sharing of data between the State's various social services programs and platforms; and

(3) authorize, and establish appropriate procedures to facilitate, the simultaneous or cross enrollment of eligible seniors in the Medicaid program and SNAP] , update the online application system to ensure the system employs current technology and is user friendly, with features that include, but are not limited to, easy account creation, easy user access, and easy tracking of an applicant’s application status.

c. The Department of Human Services, working in consultation and cooperation with [relevant senior citizen] appropriate advocacy organizations, shall engage in comprehensive outreach efforts to ensure that [all eligible seniors] New Jersey residents are made aware of their ability to apply for and obtain SNAP benefits through a streamlined and expedited process. At a minimum, the department shall provide outreach at all health care facilities, social service agencies that serve seniors in the State, and other organizations focused on food assistance, and shall use all available media, including print, radio, television, and the Internet, to inform residents [on] of the availability of the streamlined SNAP application process established pursuant to this section.

d. The Commissioner of Human Services shall apply to the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture for any necessary waivers or approvals to implement the provisions of this section.

e. As used in this section:

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Human Services.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

["Medicaid program" means the State Medicaid program, established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).

"Senior citizen" or "senior" means a person who is 60 years of age or older.]

"SNAP" means the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.).¹

(cf: P.L.2021, c.243, s.1)

¹[1.] 3. (New section)¹ a. ¹[The commissioner, to the maximum extent permissible under federal law, shall review and streamline the SNAP application process, as provided in this section. The goal of the streamlining shall be to maximize the enrollment of eligible SNAP participants in this State by increasing the accessibility of the SNAP application.

b. In streamlining the SNAP application process, as required by this section, the commissioner shall, at a minimum, update the online application system to ensure the system employs current technology and is user-friendly, with features that include, but are not limited to, easy account creation and access and improved tracking of an applicant’s application status.

c.]¹ The ¹[department] Department of Human Services¹ shall ¹[maintain] establish ²[a two-year demonstration project, pursuant to which the department shall establish and maintain¹]² a call center where department employees ¹[, or persons under contract with the department,]¹ ², or persons under contract with the department² are available in real-time to assist individuals in:

(1) navigating the SNAP application process;

(2) checking on the status of an application; and

(3) troubleshooting any issues with the application.

¹b. ²[No later than 18 months after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the commissioner shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, concerning the commissioner’s findings concerning the effectiveness of the call center established pursuant to subsection a. of this section and the commissioner’s recommendations as to whether the call center should be reauthorized pursuant to subsection c. of this section, as well as recommendations for any changes to the nature, duties, or operation of the call center upon reauthorization.

c. The call center established pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall expire two years after the effective date of this act, but may be reauthorized by the adoption of legislation reauthorizing the call center, with or without changes to the nature, duties, or operation of the call center.¹

d.]² The commissioner shall apply to the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture for any necessary waivers or approvals to implement the provisions of this section.

²[e.] c.² As used in this section:

“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Human Services.

“Department” means the Department of Human Services ¹[”] .¹

“SNAP” means the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.).

¹[2. The Commissioner of Human Services shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.140 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.]¹

¹4. Section 2 of P.L.2021, c.243 is amended to read as follows:

2. The Commissioner of Human Services [shall] may adopt rules and regulations [, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.),] ², pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.),² as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act and P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill) ²[, which rules and regulations shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law for a period not to exceed 18 months, and may, thereafter, be amended, adopted, or readopted in accordance with the provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.)]² .¹

(cf: P.L.2021, c.243, s.2)

¹5. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services the sum of $750,000 for the purpose of implementing the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).¹

¹[3.] 6.¹ This act shall take effect immediately.