SENATE, No. 1294

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  NELLIE POU

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

Senator  RAJ MUKHERJI

District 32 (Hudson)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires DHS to conduct public outreach regarding noncitizen SNAP participation.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee with technical review.

  


An Act concerning the participation of noncitizens in the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

     1.    a.  The Department of Human Services, working in consultation and cooperation with relevant noncitizen advocacy organizations, shall engage in comprehensive outreach efforts and public awareness campaigns to ensure that all noncitizens are made aware of how participation in SNAP affects whether a noncitizen applying for admission or adjustment of status is inadmissible to the United States, pursuant to the federal “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” rule (84 FR 41292).  At a minimum, the department shall provide outreach at social service agencies that serve noncitizens in the State and other organizations focused on food assistance, and may use all available media, including print, radio, televisions, and the Internet to provide information in multiple languages on how participation in SNAP specifically affects whether a noncitizen applying for admission or adjustment of status is inadmissible to the United States and which types of noncitizens are exempt from the rule.

     b.    As used in this section:

     “Department” means the 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.) and P.L.1998, c.32 (C.44:10-79 et seq.).

 

     2.    The Commissioner of Health, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this act.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.