BILL NUMBER: S5129
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring food
distributors that accept SNAP benefits to establish a mechanism to apply
coupons to purchases made by eligible recipients of SNAP benefits
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to mandate that any stores that produce, use
or honor coupons create a system to automatically apply such discounted
benefits towards individuals using SNAP without having the physical
coupons.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Section 95 of the social services law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 12 to read as follows:
12.(a) Any food distributor that accepts SNAP benefits shall establish a
mechanism to apply any available coupons or discounts to purchases made
by eligible recipients of SNAP benefits.
12.(b) Any such available coupons or discounts shall be automatically
applied when a customer makes a purchase or using SNAP. An eligible
recipient of SNAP benefits shall not be required to provide a physical
coupon in order to receive the discount from such coupon.
Section 2: Provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program designed
to alleviate food insecurity among low-income individuals and families.
Although this program has helped many individuals, concerns have been
raised about the limited purchasing power of SNAP benefits in meeting
the diverse nutritional needs of recipients.
Record rising rates of inflation coupled with higher costs of food
production and associated transportation costs have decreased the amount
of food that one was able to purchase compared to just 6 months ago.
Having these discounts automatically applied to SNAP users would ensure
accessibility and inclusivity to users as it eliminates potential barri-
ers associated with handling physical coupons. Also, this system allevi-
ates concerns related to the frequent updating of existing coupons and
offers.
This system would be mandated for larger chain stores as they likely
already have the software to implement this system or have the ability
to acquire it easier than smaller chain stores.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S8552 COMRIE/ A9134 Hyndman
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5129: 95 social services law