SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2363

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 6, 2022

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2363 (2R).

      This bill would require the Department of Human Services (department), to the maximum extent permissible under federal law, to establish a training program for county boards of social services that assist individuals with the SNAP enrollment and recertification process.  The purpose of the training will be to educate employees on current federal laws, regulations, and standards concerning SNAP, and standard best practices to comply with federal SNAP requirements.  The department will review the training program and curriculum each year and may modify the training program from time to time, as necessary, to incorporate any changes to the federal laws, regulations, and standards concerning SNAP.  Participation in the training program will be mandatory for all employees of a county board of social services who assist individuals with the SNAP enrollment and recertification process.  Each county board of social services will be responsible for ensuring that all required employees complete the training program, at least once in each calendar year. 

      This bill requires the department to publish county-level case tracking data on SNAP on its Internet website that includes, but is not limited to:  application approval rates, reasons for application denial, and average application approval time.

      The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to 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 the bill.  The commissioner may adopt rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act, which rules and regulations will 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.).

     This bill appropriates from the State’s General Fund the sum of $250,000 to the Department of Human Services to effectuate the provisions of the bill.

     As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 2363 (2R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 2033, which was also reported by the committee on this date, with amendments.