Alabama SB57: Public assistance; Department of Human Resources required to request waiver to prohibit the purchase of soda and candy with SNAP benefits, implementation of prohibition provided for

What the bill says

An Act, Relating to public assistance; to require the Department of Human Resources to request a waiver to exclude candy and soda from the definition of "eligible foods" for purposes of SNAP benefits; to require the department to prohibit the purchase of candy and soda with SNAP benefits if the waiver is granted; to provide for the resubmission of the request, if the request is denied; to require the Governor to designate an agency to publish certain information relating to products that are ineligible for purchase using SNAP benefits…

From the enrolled text:

An Act, Relating to public assistance; to require the Department of Human Resources to request a waiver to exclude candy and soda from the definition of "eligible foods" for purposes of SNAP benefits; to require the department to prohibit the purchase of candy and soda with SNAP benefits if the waiver is granted; to provide for the resubmission of the request, if the request is denied; to require the Governor to designate an agency to publish certain information relating to products that are ineligible for purchase using SNAP benefits; and to prohibit penalties for certain retailers for accidental noncompliance, with exceptions. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) CANDY. Food products that list sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, or high fructose corn syrup as a primary ingredient. The term includes any confectionery products primarily composed of sugar or sweeteners and intended for consumption as candy, including, but not limited to, chocolate bars, non-chocolate candy, chewing gum, and similar products. The term does not include any baked goods, prepared desserts, bakery items, baking mixes, cooking ingredients, dessert toppings, frostings, jellies, jams, marshmallows, hot cocoa mix, powdered drink mixes, or other foods intended primarily for cooking, baking, or meal preparation. Page for cooking, baking, …

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