New York A 4416: Implements a healthy food initiative for beneficiaries of the supplemental nutrition assistance program

Bill Text

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A04416 Summary:

BILL NOA04416 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORMolitor

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COSPNSRGallahan, Smullen, DeStefano, Lemondes, Blankenbush, Giglio

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §95, add §95-b, Soc Serv L

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Requires the department of social services to apply for a waiver or request authorization to create a list of healthy and nutritious foods and beverages that may be purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.

Go to top A04416 Actions:

BILL NOA04416 

&nbsp

02/04/2025referred to social services

01/07/2026referred to social services

Go to topA04416 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA04416 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA04416 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4416

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 February 4, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. MOLITOR -- read once and referred to the Commit-
 tee on Social Services

 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to implementing a
 healthy food initiative for beneficiaries of the supplemental nutri-
 tion assistance program

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. The intent of this legislation is to
 2 ensure that supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits
 3 are used to purchase healthy and nutritious food and beverages, thereby
 4 improving long-term health, reducing the prevalence of weight-related
 5 diseases, and increasing the life expectancy for SNAP beneficiaries.
 6 § 2. Section 95 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
 7 subdivision 12 to read as follows:
 8 12. (a) The department shall, in consultation with the department of
 9 health, within ninety days after the effective date of this subdivision,
 10 apply for a waiver or request authorization from the federal government
 11 to ensure that supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits
 12 are used only for the purchase of healthy and nutritious foods and
 13 beverages. In developing the list of healthy and nutritious foods and
 14 beverages, the department shall consider those items that are approved
 15 for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and
 16 children.
 17 (b) For the purposes of this subdivision, "healthy and nutritious
 18 foods and beverages" shall include infant and adult cereal; fruits,
 19 vegetables, nuts, meats, and fish; bread, rice, flour, spices, baking
 20 supplies, soft corn and wheat tortillas; fruit and vegetable juice;
 21 eggs; milk; cheese; peanut butter, jelly; dried beans or peas; soy
 22 beverage, tofu; and other items as determined by the commissioner of
 23 health to be medically or nutritionally warranted, or otherwise appro-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD07719-01-5

 A. 4416 2

 1 priate for program participants in accordance with rules and regulations
 2 promulgated by the commissioner of health for such purpose.
 3 (c) "Healthy and nutritious foods and beverages" shall not include
 4 foods and beverages with significant amounts of added sugar, artificial
 5 sweeteners, or sodium, such as soft drinks, confectionary products,
 6 desserts, processed foods with high salt content, and similar items.
 7 § 3. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 95-b
 8 to read as follows:
 9 § 95-b. Healthy and nutritious use of supplemental nutrition assist-
 10 ance program benefits. 1. To the extent not inconsistent with federal
 11 law and regulations, the office of temporary and disability assistance
 12 shall, in consultation with the department of health, establish a list
 13 of approved healthy and nutritious foods and beverages which can be
 14 purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under
 15 subdivision twelve of section ninety-five of this title.
 16 2. As used in this section, "healthy and nutritious foods and beverag-
 17 es" shall include infant and adult cereal; fruits, vegetables, nuts,
 18 meats, and fish; bread, rice, flour, spices, baking supplies, soft corn
 19 and wheat tortillas; fruit and vegetable juice; eggs; milk; che