This bill mandates the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to submit a waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture by January 1, 2027, aimed at prohibiting the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The new section added to RSA 167 outlines that the waiver request must exclude sweetened drinks and candy from the definition of eligible foods under SNAP, propose implementation methods, establish an education and outreach program for SNAP recipients, and include an evaluation plan to assess the impact of these restrictions on nutrition and health outcomes. The bill also requires the department to notify retailers of the new restrictions and provide technical assistance for updating point-of-sale systems.

Additionally, the bill specifies definitions for "sweetened drink" and "candy," clarifying what items would be excluded from SNAP purchases. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage. While the bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, it is estimated to incur costs of approximately $2.6 million in FY29, primarily for implementing the waiver and establishing a nutrition education program, with ongoing costs of around $1.4 million in subsequent years.