Requires that two electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards be available to certain households receiving special supplemental nutrition program for…

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Requires that two electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards be available to certain households receiving special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) benefits

The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.

Latest action May 13, 2026

Requires that any electronic benefit transfer services for special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) benefits shall ensure that two electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards are issued for use by any recipient household where such additional household member is either a parent, guardian or caretaker of the covered infant or a spouse, domestic partner or parent of the covered mother.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A8938, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Public Health Law.

Committee

Rules · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Rules · New York State Senate, Social Services · New York State Assembly, Social Services · New York State Senate, Women's Issues · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Requires that two electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards be available to certain households receiving special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) benefits. Providing spouses, guardians and familial caretakers with the ability to make purchases for and on behalf of the covered mother and child.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Women's Issues
Senate Women's IssuesMay 13, 2026Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Aron Wieder, James Skoufis and 2 more on Agora

Democratic3
Republican1

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Roxanne J. Persaud says this is needed

In 2022, New York State passed new legislation requiring the issuance of two SNAP cards for households with more than one parent or guardian. The bipartisan legislation recognized that for many working families, having to keep track of who has a benefit card at any given time can present challenges in keeping their family fed. The same challenges exist for households who receive WIC benefits, but who only receive a single benefit card. Affording these households an additional WIC electronic benefit transfer card will assist mothers and familial caretakers alike by allowing either party to make necessary eligible purchases of food products and formula ensuring the infant's health.

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.

Full history

May 13, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO WOMEN'S ISSUES
NY Senate
Nov 19, 2025
Amend and Recommit to Social Services
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
Nov 17, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO RULES
NY Senate

Show full history (2 earlier events)

Sep 24, 2025
Amend (t) and Recommit to Social Services
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
Jul 16, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 20, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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