Bill > SB1347

This bill proposes to modify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families, by seeking a federal waiver to prohibit the purchase of certain food items with SNAP benefits. Specifically, the bill defines three categories of items that would be restricted: candy (sugar or artificial sweeteners combined with ingredients like chocolate or fruit), prepared desserts (processed, shelf-stable sweet foods with chemically modified substances), and certain beverages (soft drinks, punches with less than 50% fruit juice, and beverage concentrates). The bill requires the director of the Department of Social Services to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude these items from eligible food purchases under SNAP. If the waiver is granted, the director must prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to purchase these items; if the waiver is not initially granted, the director must continue to request it annually. The goal appears to be limiting the use of public nutrition assistance funds to more nutritionally valuable food items.

Health and Social Services

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=589