SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1294

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 22, 2024

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1294.

      This bill requires the Department of Human Services to engage in comprehensive outreach efforts to ensure that all noncitizens are made aware of how participation in the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affects whether a noncitizen applying for admission or adjustment of status to the United States is inadmissible, pursuant to the federal “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” rule (84 FR 41292).  This federal rule, updated in 2022, establishes the parameters under which federal officials can deny entry to the United States or adjustment to lawful permanent resident status to someone determined to be a public charge.  The bill would require the department to work in consultation and cooperation with noncitizen advocacy organizations in performing this outreach.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.