BILL NUMBER: S1281
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing the
New York healthy incentive program (Part A); to amend the social
services law, in relation to automating SNAP and the New York healthy
incentive program (Part B); and to amend the social services law, in
relation to establishing the New York healthy incentive program outreach
program (Part C)
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation establishes a framework to implement a statewide New
York Healthy Incentive Program (NYHIP) to incentivize fresh and healthy
food purchases using SNAP benefits and increase local investments in
farms and farm-to-consumer entities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Part A, Section 1 adds a ney section 95-h to the Social Services Law to
establish a statewide New York Healthy Incentive Program ;NY.HIP);
provides legislative findings; establishes necessary definitions; estab-
lishes poers and duties of the Office of Temporary s Disability Assist-
ance (OTDA).
Part A, Section 2, sets forth an immediate effective date.
Part B, Section 1 adds a new section to Section 95 of the Social Seivic-
es law requiring OTDA, pursuant, to a waiver from the USDA Food & Nutri-
tion Service, to automate the use of SNAP benefit, cards to pay for
subscriptions to locally grown fresh food subscription services, and add
accrued NYHIP incentives to SNAP benefit cards.
Part B, Section 2, sets forth an immediate effective date.
Part C, Section 1 adds a new action 95-c to the Social. Services Law to
establish and implement a new SNAP and NYHIP Outreach Program in accord-
ance with federal requirements utilizing federal funds.
Part C, Section 2, sets forth an immediate effective date.
Section 2 sets forth an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Healthy food incentive programs provide significant health, educational,
social, and economic benefits, especially for those who have histor-
ically been excluded from access to fresh produce; in food desserts
where access to healthy and affordable food is limited or where there
are no grocery stores; and local farmers who struggle to compete with
imported goods and produce.
In 2017, Massachusetts stood up a statewide Health Incentive Program
(FIP) after piloting the initiative in 2011. Using state and federal
funds, the Massachusetts program allows SNAP households to purchase
fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets, farm stands,
community supported agriculture (CSA), and mobile markets. The Massachu-
setts HIP provides a $1 incentive per $1 spent on eligible foods up to a
household's specific monthly cap. For example: an individual with a
starting SNAP balance of $50 that purchases $10 worth of healthy local
produce from a farm stand or CSA would receive an instant $10 HIP credit
thus returning the SNAP balance to $50.
A unified, statewide New York Healthy Incentives Program (NYHIP) would
strengthen our food system. NYHIP would increase access to affordable,
healthy, and locally sourced food for New Yorkers experiencing food
insecurity. NYHIP would also increase .profits for local farmers while
further integrating their produce into local markets.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S3069A -- Passed Senate
2022: S. 7877 referred to Social Services
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1281: 95 social services law