§§1-3,5
C.44:10-81.7 to
44:10-81.10
§6
Approp.
An Act concerning county boards of social services 2[and] ,2 supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes 3, amending P.L.2021, c.933 2, and making an appropriation2.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. 3(New section)3 As used in this act:
“Commissioner” means Commissioner of Human Services.
“Department” means Department of Human Services.
“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.).
2. 3(New section)3 a. The Department of Human Services, to the maximum extent permissible under federal law, shall establish a training program for 2[each employee of a]2 county 2[board] boards2 of social services 2[who assists] that assist2 individuals with SNAP enrollment and recertification processes. The purpose of the training shall be to educate employees 3, including supervisory and managerial employees and designated county training staff,3 on current federal laws, regulations, and standards concerning SNAP, and standard best practices to comply with federal SNAP requirements 3, with the goal of ensuring employees of county boards of social services are at all times in compliance with federal laws, regulations, standards, and best practices as they pertain to SNAP3 . The department shall review the training program and curriculum 2[at least once every six months] each year2 and 2[shall require modification of] may modify2 the training program from time to time, as need may require, to incorporate any changes to the federal laws, regulations, and standards concerning SNAP.
b. Participation in the training program established pursuant to this section shall be mandatory for all employees of a county board of social services who assist individuals with SNAP enrollment and recertification processes 3, as well as for all supervisory or management employees of the county board of social services who interview, process, or review SNAP cases and designated training staff of the county board of social services3 . 1[The chief administrative office of each] Each1 county board of social services shall be responsible for ensuring that 3:
(1)3 all required employees complete the training program 3[,]3 at least 3[once] twice3 in each calendar year 3;
(2) all newly-hired employees of the county board of social services who will assist individuals with SNAP enrollment and recertification processes, who will interview, process, or review SNAP cases in a managerial or supervisory role, or who will serve as designated training staff for the county board of social services complete the training within one month of hire; and
(3) all employees who assist individuals with SNAP enrollment and recertification processes, who interview, process, or review SNAP cases in a managerial or supervisory role, or who serve as designated training staff members, complete the training as a condition of any professional promotion within the county board of social services3 .
3. 1(New section)3 The Department of Human Services shall publish county-level case tracking data for SNAP on its Internet website that includes, but is not limited to: application approval rates, reasons for application denial, 3[and]3 average application approval 3[time] times, and the average time between when a case closes and when it is subsequently reopened3 .
2[4. a. The Department of Human Services, to the maximum extent permissible under federal law, shall establish a one-year pilot program that 1shall1 conduct focused outreach efforts about SNAP benefits and 1[provides] shall provide1 application assistance tocertain populations. The purpose of this pilot program shall be to increase enrollment 1[,]1 among certain underserved populations 1[,]1 of eligible participants in SNAP, which underserved populations include, but are not limited to, college students, immigrants, and older adults.
b. The 1[application assistance for older adults;]1 commissioner shall select one county board of social services in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State to participate in the pilot program.
c. The pilot program may include, but shall not be limited to, the following elements:
(1) the creation and dissemination of videos to educate older adults about SNAP and the application process;
(2) grassroots outreach about SNAP through senior centers, hospitals, doctor’s offices, houses of worship, and other 1[place] places1 where older adults may congregate;
(3) the provision of 1application assistance by1 telephone 1for older adults;1
(4) the development of a social media campaign for college students that raises awareness about SNAP;
(5) the formation of partnerships with institutions of higher education and the higher education community, such as school administrators, professors, counselors, student health offices, campus food pantries, and financial aid officers, to raise awareness about SNAP among students and 1to1 provide students with the necessary information to apply for SNAP;
(6) the establishment of campus representatives at institutions of higher learning who can educate students about SNAP and refer students to a local county board of social services;
(7) the promotion of SNAP outreach and application materials in different languages through organizations and faith-based communities that serve immigrants; and
(8) outreach through social and traditional media, especially non-English media, to reach immigrant populations.
d. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the implementation, outcomes, and effectiveness of the pilot program. The report shall include the commissioner’s recommendation on the advisability of the program’s continuation and expansion to additional county boards of social services in the State.]2
34. Section 1 of P.L.2021, c.93 (C.44:10-81.2) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. Consistent with federal law, the Commissioner of Human Services shall permit applicants for [the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L. 110-246 (7 U.S.C.s.2011 et seq.)] SNAP, to apply by phone, electronic device, or kiosk, as well as for employees of county welfare agencies and county boards of social services to conduct SNAP interviews by telephone, electronic device, or kiosk. The commissioner shall establish requirements to ensure the security and privacy of applications submitted, and interviews conducted, by telephone or using an electronic device or kiosk pursuant to this section.
b. The commissioner shall:
(1) consult with county welfare agencies and county boards of social services to create an electronic record information processing system to process [telephonic] applications submitted for [the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] SNAP using telephones, electronic devices, and kiosks and for interviews conducted using telephones, electronic devices, and kiosks pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and ensure [the system is] such systems are in compliance with federal standards; and
(2) apply and receive approval for such waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
c. County welfare agencies and county boards of social services shall designate an employee of the agency or board as the agency’s or board’s county social service liaison. County social service liaisons shall be responsible for consulting with institutions of higher education and the higher education community to assist with any technical assistance questions from SNAP applicants and from the county welfare agency or county board of social services arising from the use of telephones, electronic devices, and kiosks in connection with SNAP applications and SNAP interviews.
d. As used in this section:
“Electronic device” means a desktop or laptop computer, mobile phone, tablet, or any other Internet-connected device that is capable of electronically receiving and transmitting the information necessary to process an application for benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“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.).3
(cf: P.L.2021, c.93, s.1)
2[5.] 3[4.] 5. (New section)3 a.2 The Commissioner of Human Services shall 2[:
1[(a)] a.1]2 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 act 2[; and] .2
1[(b)] b.1 2The commissioner may2 adopt rules and regulations 2[, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.140 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.),]2 as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act 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.
3c. The commissioner shall annually request funding in an amount as shall be necessary and appropriate to support additional funding for county call centers to address technical assistance questions from SNAP applicants, county welfare agencies, and county boards of social services arising from the use of telephones, electronic devices, and kiosks in connection with SNAP applications and SNAP interviews pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).3
3[25.] 6.3 There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services the sum of $250,000 for the purposes of effectuating the provisions of this act.2
3[6.] 7.3 This act shall take effect immediately.
Concerns SNAP services provided at county boards of social services and county welfare agencies; appropriates $250,000.