Bill Text: NJ A5040 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits individuals eligible to receive SNAP or WIC to enroll in courses on family and consumer science at public institutions of higher education without paying tuition.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee [A5040 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A5040-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Permits individuals eligible to receive SNAP or WIC to enroll in courses on family and consumer science at public institutions of higher education without paying tuition.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning enrollment in certain courses at public higher education and supplementing chapter 62 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Each public institution of higher education in New Jersey shall permit a person eligible for assistance under 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.), or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, established pursuant to the federal "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," Pub.L.89-642 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et seq.), to enroll without payment of tuition in regularly scheduled courses on family and consumer science, provided that available classroom space permits and that tuition paying students constitute the minimum number required for the course. The institution shall not award academic credit to a person who completes a family and consumer science course pursuant to this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The bill requires public institutions of higher education to permit individuals who are eligible for assistance under the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, to enroll tuition-free in courses in the area of family and consumer science.
The bill further provides that enrollment will only be allowed if available classroom space permits and tuition-paying students constitute the minimum number required for the course.
Academic credit is not to be awarded to a person who completes a family and consumer course pursuant to the provisions of the bill.
Individuals who take college level family and consumer science courses are likely to increase their purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables, thus contributing to the viability and success of the State's agricultural industry.
