ASSEMBLY, No. 1210
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman VINCENT PRIETO
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman SHEILA Y. OLIVER
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Spencer, Assemblymen McKeon, Benson, Assemblywomen Jasey, Vainieri Huttle, Assemblymen Danielsen, Eustace, Assemblywomen Muoio, McKnight, Assemblymen Chiaravalloti, Gusciora, Coughlin, Assemblywoman Pinkin, Senators Lesniak, Weinberg, Pou, Gordon, Ruiz, Stack, Beck and Cunningham
SYNOPSIS
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families; qualifies families to receive additional nutritional assistance.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended on May 12, 2016 by the General Assembly pursuant to the Governor's recommendations.
An Act concerning 1[nutrition and]1 energy assistance and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, every household in the State that is eligible to receive 1[benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) established pursuant to the “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.)] low-income home energy assistance benefits issued under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), established pursuant to Pub.L. 97-35, Title XXVI (42 U.S.C. s.8621 et seq.)1 shall receive a minimum annual energy assistance payment of $21 1[in order to qualify the household for a heating and cooling standard utility allowance under the SNAP program, in accordance with 7 U.S.C. s.2014(e)(6)(C), unless a standard utility allowance would have been unavailable to the household under the State and federal criteria for SNAP and any applicable energy assistance programs that were in place as of July 1, 2013]1. This annual payment shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the 1[Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (]1 LIHEAP 1[), established pursuant to Pub.L. 97-35, Title XXVI (42 U.S.C. s.8621 et seq.) or other energy assistance program for which the household is eligible, as applicable] program1 . Any costs associated with increasing LIHEAP payments shall first be charged to the unexpended balance of federal funds available for the LIHEAP program, to the extent permitted by federal law and regulation.
2. The 1[Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the]1 Commissioner of Community Affairs, shall adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.