Bill > S69

This bill establishes a "healthy incentives program" to improve the diet and health of households that receive or are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program, funded by legislative appropriations, will increase the purchasing power of SNAP participants by offering an incentive of at least 30 cents for every dollar spent on specific fruits and vegetables, with the exact list of eligible items to be determined by the department in consultation with public health and agricultural experts. All SNAP-eligible households will qualify for this incentive, which can be used at any retailer that accepts SNAP benefits, including various types of stores, farmers markets, and mobile markets, utilizing existing methods like electronic benefit transfer systems. The department will also be required to submit an annual report to state officials detailing the program's impact on health, nutrition, and related behaviors among participating households.