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 benefits theft, specifically targeting practices such as card cloning and card skimming. Key provisions include requiring SNAP participants to select strong personal identification numbers, utilizing additional magnetic strip safeguards until microchip technology is fully implemented, and educating participants on transaction restrictions. The bill also establishes a process for reporting theft and securing replacement benefits, which will be provided using federal or state funds depending on availability.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to enhance 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