Bill Text: NJ A859 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits online purchase of eligible food using WIC fund for grocery delivery charges.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2023, c.267. [A859 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A859-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Permits online purchase of eligible foods using WIC funds and use of WIC funds for grocery delivery charges.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning the New Jersey Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and supplementing Title 26 of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Food instrument" means a voucher, check, electronic benefits transfer card, coupon, or other document which is used by a participant in the WIC program to obtain supplemental foods.
"WIC" means the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, established pursuant to the "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," Pub.L.89-642 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et seq.).
2. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an individual who receives benefits under the WIC program shall be permitted to:
(1) purchase WIC-eligible foods using the online platform of an authorized New Jersey WIC vendor, including an approved vendor which operates predominantly as an online retailer; and
(2) utilize funds available through any New Jersey WIC food instrument to pay the delivery charge levied by an authorized New Jersey WIC vendor for home delivery of the individual's WIC-eligible purchase.
b. The Commissioner of Health shall 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 section.
3. The Commissioner of Health shall adopt such rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits beneficiaries of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to use WIC benefits in a variety of ways. WIC is a federal program that provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals to pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, infants, and children aged five years and under, who are low income and at nutritional risk.
The bill allows WIC participants to: 1) utilize a WIC financial instrument to purchase WIC-eligible foods through the online platform of either a New Jersey WIC-authorized vendor or an authorized vendor whose retail presence in the State is primarily as an online retailer; and 2) use their WIC benefit to pay a delivery charge, levied by an authorized New Jersey WIC vendor, for home-delivery of a WIC-eligible foods purchase.
The bill directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture for any federal waivers or approvals needed to implement the changes to the New Jersey WIC program.
