South Carolina H 4061: SNAP

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4061 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 19, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4061

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH 
CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA SNAP NUTRITION INTEGRITY 
ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 5, TITLE 43 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A FEDERAL WAIVER TO ALLOW THE STATE 
TO PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE OF CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND REPORTING BY THE 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES RELATED TO APPLICATION FOR AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE WAIVER; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina SNAP Nutrition Integrity 
Act."

SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Title 43 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

Article 11

South Carolina SNAP Nutrition Integrity

 Section 
43-5-1410. For purposes of this article:

 (1) 
"Candy" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial 
sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or other ingredients or 
flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces, that does not require 
refrigeration.

 (2) "Department" 
means the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

 (3) "Soft 
drink" means a nonalcoholic beverage made with carbonated water and flavored 
and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners but does not include a 
beverage that contains milk; milk products; soy, rice, or other milk 
substitutes; or more than fifty percent vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

 (4) 
"SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. 
Chapter 51.

 (5) 
"SNAP benefit" means any financial benefit, coupon, or privilege available 
under SNAP.

 (6) 
"USDA FNS" means the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and 
Nutrition Service.

 Section 
43-5-1420. (A) The South Carolina 
Department of Social Services shall submit a request for a federal waiver to 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, to authorize 
the department to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy 
and soft drinks.

 (B) 
The waiver request pursuant to subsection (A) must include:

 (1) 
justification for the waiver, including:

 (a) 
public health concerns related to excessive sugar consumption and diet-related 
diseases;

 (b) 
SNAP's statutory intent to promote food security and nutrition; and

 (c) 
cost savings to taxpayers by reducing Medicaid expenditures related to 
diet-induced conditions;

 (2) 
an implementation plan ensuring that existing point-of-sale systems used by 
South Carolina retailers can enforce the restrictions;

 (3) 
a strategy for education and outreach utilizing existing programs such as the 
USDA FNS's SNAP-Ed Connection program to inform SNAP recipients of alternative 
healthy food options; and

 (4) 
a mechanism to track the impact of the waiver restrictions on SNAP recipients, 
including spending patterns postimplementation and health outcomes, particularly 
Medicaid trends for diet-related illnesses.

 Section 
43-5-1430. (A) If the waiver 
pursuant to Section 43-5-1420(A) is approved by the USDA FNS, the department 
shall implement the SNAP benefits restriction within six months from the date 
of approval.

 (B) 
If the waiver under Section 43-5-1420(A) is denied, the department shall:

 (1) 
resubmit the waiver request no later than three months from the date of denial; 
and

 (2) 
continue resubmitting the request annually until approval is granted.

 (C) 
The department shall work with SNAP-authorized retailers to ensure compliance 
by updating point-of-sale systems to prevent the purchase of restricted items 
using SNAP benefits.

 Section 
43-5-1440. (A) On or before 
November first each year, the department shall submit a written report to the 
General Assembly, which includes the following:

 (1) 
the status of the waiver request, including whether it is pending, approved, or 
denied;

 (2) 
data on SNAP spending trends in South Carolina, including any reductions in 
soda and candy purchases;

 (3) 
identified challenges in implementing the restriction, including feedback from 
retailers and program participants; and

 (4) 
recommendations for further policy action related to SNAP nutrition standards.

 (B) 
The annual report pursuant to subsection (A) also must be included in the 
department's annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly, as 
required pursuant to Section 43-1-210.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on February 19, 2025 at 02:03 PM