Provides that applicants or recipients for SNAP benefits shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the supplemental nutrition assistance…

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic3

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Roxanne J. Persaud says this is needed

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.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.