A5441: Revises certain deadlines and State funding regarding support provided by DHS, DOLWD, and Office of…

ASSEMBLY, No. 5441 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 222nd LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED OCTOBER 5, 2026 Sponsored by: Assemblyman CRAIG J. COUGHLIN District 19 (Middlesex) SYNOPSIS Revises certain deadlines and State funding regarding support provided by DHS, DOLWD, and Office of Volunteerism to NJ FamilyCare and SNAP recipients to meet federal eligibility requirements via volunteering. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. An Act concerning volunteerism and compliance with federal NJ FamilyCare and SNAP eligibility requirements, amending and repealing certain sections of P.L.2026, c.87, and supplementing the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, P.L.2026, c.27. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 2 of P.L.2026, c.87 (C.30:4D-6f2) is amended to read as follows: 2. a. The Governor's Office of Volunteerism located in the Department of State, or any successor entity, shall work with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, to modify and expand the State's existing volunteer resources such that information is easily accessible to State residents regarding compliance, via volunteer hours or community service, with the Medicaid community engagement requirements, established in section 71119 of the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," Pub.L.119-21, on or before October 1, 2027 and with the expanded work requirements for SNAP established in section 10102 of the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," Pub.L.119-21 on or before October 1, 2027, as well as any subsequent federal regulations or guidance regarding these statutory requirements. At a minimum, these efforts shall include: (1) Modifying the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal, to allow the public to search and apply for bona fide volunteer opportunities that comply with the applicable requirements; (2) Engaging and soliciting non-profit and community organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, and other appropriate entities to identify volunteer opportunities that comply with the applicable requirements; (3) Modifying the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal, so that entities can: register with the State as an organization that offers volunteer opportunities in compliance with the applicable requirements; and submit volunteer opportunities to be included on the HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal; and (4) Providing a link to the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal, as well as an explanation of the applicable requirements, on the State's NJ FamilyCare webpage, the State's SNAP webpage, the Governor's Office of Volunteerism webpage, and any other relevant webpage as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services. b. [ The ] On or before October 1, 2027, the Department of Human Services shall create, or modify an existing, web-based, mobile friendly resource that allows NJ FamilyCare and SNAP applicants and beneficiaries to submit to the appropriate eligibility determination agencies all information and documentation regarding volunteer or community service hours that are necessary to demonstrate compliance with the Medicaid community engagement requirements established in section 71119 of the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," Pub.L.119-21, and with the expanded work requirements for SNAP established in section 10102 of the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill Act,"Pub.L.119-21. c. [ The ] On or before October 1, 2027, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall establish a system by which to support the tracking of work activities and participation, including volunteer hours and community service acquired by SNAP applicants and beneficiaries under this section , such that this information can be shared between the departments in order to collaboratively administer the NJ SNAP ETP, as that term is defined in section 2 of P.L. 2013, c.45 (C.44:10-96). To the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of this subsection, the departments shall enter into the applicable data sharing agreements. d. The Department of Human Services shall perform annual audit reviews of the information and documentation submitted pursuant to subsection b. of this section, to verify that all information is accurate and that no abuse or malfeasance is being committed. e. The State shall be immune from any liability for any injury incurred by a volunteer as a result of an individual's volunteer or community service stemming from the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal. f. As used in this act: "Medicaid" means the program established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.). "NJ FamilyCare" means the State-branded name given to the programs established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.) and P.L.2005, c.156 (C.30:4J-8 et al.). "SNAP" means the State's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.88-525 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.). (cf: P.L.2026, c.87, s.2) 2. (New section) The following language provision is added to section 1 of P.L.2026, c.27, the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, as follows: 74 DEPARTMENT OF STATE 70 Government Direction, Management, and Control 74 General Government Services DIRECT STATE SERVICES Of the amounts hereinabove appropriated for the Office of Volunteerism, $50,000 shall be transferred to the Department of Human Services and $50,000 shall be transferred to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to effectuate the provisions of P.L.2026, c.87 (C.30:4D-6f1 et seq.), subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. 3. Section 4 of P.L.2026, c.87 is repealed. 4. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT This bill amends section 2 of P.L.2026, c.87 (C.30:4D-6f2) to clarify that certain existing statutory provisions of that law are to be implemented on or before October 1, 2027. These provisions include requiring: 1) the Department of Human Services to create, or modify an existing, web-based, mobile friendly resource that allows NJ FamilyCare and SNAP applicants and beneficiaries to submit to the appropriate eligibility determination agencies all information and documentation regarding volunteer or community service hours that are necessary to demonstrate compliance with federal law; and 2) the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a system by which to support the tracking of work activities and participation, including volunteer hours and community service acquired by SNAP applicants and beneficiaries under section 2 of P.L.2026, c.87 (C.30:4D-6f2), such that this information can be shared between the departments in order to collaboratively administer the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Program. The bill also repeals a General Fund appropriation made under P.L.2026, c.87 (C.30:4D-6f1 et seq.) which provided $50,000 to the Department of Human Services, $50,000 to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and $100,000 to the Office of Volunteerism located in the Department of State to effectuate the provisions of the law. This appropriation is replaced under the bill with supplementary language added to the FY 2027 Appropriations Act which transfers the following amounts from the existing $319,000 appropriation to the Office of Volunteerism to effectuate the provisions of P.L.2026, c.87 (C.30:4D-6f1 et seq.): $50,000 to the Department of Human Services and $50,000 to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.