This bill mandates the Commissioner of Human Services to implement various fraud prevention and security measures for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to protect participants from theft and fraud, particularly through practices like card cloning and skimming. Key provisions include requiring participants to select strong personal identification numbers, utilizing additional safeguards for electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, and educating participants on transaction limitations. The bill also establishes a process for replacing stolen SNAP benefits, which will be initiated upon submission of a police report or other evidence of theft, and will be funded through federal or state resources as necessary.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to increase the penalties for SNAP benefits theft, upgrading the crime of theft of $150 or more from a fourth-degree to a third-degree crime, and elevating theft of less than $150 from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to support its implementation and will take effect six months after enactment, although the commissioner may begin administrative actions to establish the claims process beforehand.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:20-35, 2C:20-36, 2C:20-37