Senate Bill No. 379 aims to amend the Human Resources Code by introducing Section 33.031, which prohibits recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from using their benefits to purchase certain food and drink items. Specifically, the bill defines and restricts the purchase of energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated beverages, candy, potato or corn chips, and cookies that are typically sold for immediate consumption without further preparation. The bill also provides definitions for terms such as "energy drink," "milk product," and "sweetened beverage" to clarify what items fall under these restrictions.

However, the bill includes exceptions to these prohibitions, allowing the purchase of specific items such as milk products, milk substitutes, certain low-calorie beverages, infant formula, and fruit or vegetable juices without added sugar. Additionally, it permits beverages intended for weight reduction or those recommended by healthcare professionals, as well as products fortified with vitamins or minerals that contain protein, provided they do not fall under the restricted categories. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and includes a provision for state agencies to seek necessary waivers or authorizations from federal agencies before implementing any part of the act.

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