Bill > H4061

This bill seeks to establish the South Carolina SNAP Nutrition Integrity Act, which requires the Department of Social Services to apply for a federal waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill defines specific terms like "candy" and "soft drink" and mandates that the department submit a comprehensive waiver request to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that includes justifications related to public health concerns, potential cost savings on Medicaid expenditures, and an implementation plan. If the waiver is approved, the department must implement the restrictions within six months and work with retailers to update point-of-sale systems to prevent purchasing restricted items. If the waiver is initially denied, the department must continue resubmitting the request annually. The bill also requires an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the waiver's status, SNAP spending trends, implementation challenges, and recommendations for future policy actions. The primary goal is to promote healthier food choices among SNAP recipients by limiting the use of benefits for items considered nutritionally unhealthy.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4061&session=126&summary=B