BILL NUMBER: S7754A
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to finger imaging
for SNAP benefit recipients
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to eliminate the finger imaging matching
identification system for applicants or recipients of food stamp
program.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Amends subdivision 3 of section 95 of the social services law, by adding
a new paragraph (d).
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Finger imaging requirements in the Food Stamp Program (also known as
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have proven to decrease
participation in this vital program while imposing an unnecessary admin-
istrative burden on the government. Prior to 2012, New York was one of
the only two states that required fingerprinting of Food Stamp appli-
cants and recipients. At that time, 3o% of New Yorkers who were eligible
for the program did not participate. Studies at that time demonstrated
that this policy resulted in the denial of needed benefits to eligible
households, often for months, while failing to reduce fraud. Since 2012,
it has been a policy of the state to simplify the application process
and remove this barrier, which perpetuated a negative stigma and kept
food off the table for those in need. The Office of Temporary and Disa-
bility Assistance (OTDA) put in place a new statewide system for deter-
mining Food and Stamp eligibility that, along with federal requirements,
prevents duplicate participation in a less costly and more effective
manner.
By 2015, participation increased significantly, with 87% of eligible
individuals participating in the Food Stamp Program. Given this success,
codification in state law is appropriate.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
No Senate history
2023-2024: A.9594
2021-2022: A.2367
2019-2020: A.4180
2017-2018: A.3044
2015-2016: A.1489
2013-2014: A.2666
2011-2012: A.5303-A
2009-10: A.1681
2008-2009: A.10215
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No new fiscal implications.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
September 1, 2026

Statutes affected:
S7754: 95 social services law, 95(3) social services law
S7754A: 95 social services law, 95(3) social services law