[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2894

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  NELLIE POU

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

      Requires DHS to conduct biennial survey of SNAP experience.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on December 6, 2021, with amendments.

  


An Act concerning the evaluation of the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application process 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 shall conduct a 1biennial1 survey of 1[county welfare agencies] SNAP applicants and beneficiaries1 for the purpose of evaluating the SNAP experience of 1the1 applicants and beneficiaries.  The  1biennial1 survey shall include, at a minimum, questions concerning the applicant's 1or beneficiary's1 experience 1in1 navigating the SNAP application process, any difficulties the applicant 1or beneficiary1 encountered in the application process, the availability of consumer support at the county welfare agency, and how well the applicant's 1or beneficiary's1 questions and concerns were addressed by staff at the county welfare agency.

      b.   The purpose of the  1biennial1 survey shall be to:

      (1)  identify the strengths and weaknesses of each county welfare agency in processing SNAP applications;

      (2)  formulate trainings or strategies to improve the processing of SNAP applications; and

      (3)  assess which counties require additional resource and staff support.

      c.   1[The] When conducting the biennial1 survey 1[developed by] required pursuant to this section,1 the department shall 1[be] ensure the survey is1 distributed to 1all1 SNAP applicants at each county welfare agency 1throughout the duration of the survey period1 .

      d.   The commissioner 1[shall make survey data collected pursuant to this section available through the Department of Human Services' Internet website in a user-friendly format, and]1 shall, no later than 18 months after the 1[effective date of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)] completion of each biennial survey1 , submit a report to the Legislature,  pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), 1[concerning] documenting1 the results of the 1biennial1 survey and 1providing1 the commissioner's recommendations for legislation or other appropriate action.

      e.   As used in this section:

      "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Human Services.

      "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 1[Health] Human Services1 , 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.