HLS 24RS-623 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 260
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO
SNAP/FOOD STAMPS: Limits types of food purchases with Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program benefits
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 46:302, relative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; to prohibit
3 purchases of certain foods with program benefits; to require the development of
4 educational materials; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 46:302 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง302. Legislative findings; definitions; prohibition of certain foods; guidelines
8 A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the health and well-being
9 of Louisiana children on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are undermined
10 by availability of unhealthy snack foods that may be purchased with SNAP benefits.
11 B. As used in this Section:
12 (1) "Department" means the Department of Children and Family Services.
13 (2) "SNAP" means the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
14 (3) "Unhealthy snack food" means any of the following:
15 (a) Sugary food items such as candies, cookies, cakes, and sweetened
16 beverages.
17 (b) Salty food items such as chips, pretzels, and other high-sodium processed
18 foods.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-623 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 260
1 (c) High-fat food items such as fried foods, pastries, and certain types of
2 packaged snack cakes.
3 C. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to prohibit the
4 purchase of unhealthy snack foods with benefits obtained through participation in
5 SNAP.
6 D. The department shall collaborate with nutritionists, healthcare providers,
7 and other relevant experts to develop educational materials and resources for
8 caregivers, children, and families on healthy snack alternatives that may be
9 purchased with SNAP benefits.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 260 Original 2024 Regular Session Romero
Abstract: Restricts the purchase of certain unhealthy snacks with Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Proposed law directs the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to prohibit the
purchase of unhealthy snacks with SNAP benefits.
Proposed law defines unhealthy snack foods.
Proposed law directs DCFS to collaborate with nutritionists, healthcare providers, and other
experts to produce educational material to inform children, families, and caregivers about
healthy alternatives.
(Adds R.S. 46:302)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.