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, particularly through practices like card cloning and skimming. Key provisions include requiring SNAP 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 funded by federal or state resources depending on availability.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to enhance penalties for SNAP benefits theft, upgrading the crime of theft involving $150 or more from a fourth-degree to a third-degree crime, and reclassifying 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 beforehand to set up the claims process for stolen benefits.

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