New Jersey Senate Bill S4203

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/4/23
• Refer: 12/4/23

Caption

Excludes certain income earned from health promotion or disease prevention work from income eligibility determination under NJ FamilyCare, WFNJ, and NJ SNAP.

Impact

If enacted, S4203 would likely encourage greater participation in health promotion and disease prevention initiatives by making it financially feasible for community outreach workers to engage in these programs without jeopardizing their eligibility for state assistance. The change is set to have a positive impact on public health by enhancing community outreach capabilities, particularly in underserved areas where health services are critically needed.

Summary

Senate Bill S4203, introduced in December 2023, proposes amendments to income determination processes for several welfare programs in New Jersey, specifically targeting the NJ FamilyCare program, Work First New Jersey (WFNJ), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill aims to exclude the first $5,000 earned in a calendar year by community outreach workers engaged in health promotion or disease prevention programs from being counted towards income eligibility. This measure intends to incentivize community health efforts by not penalizing individuals for their service in these vital roles.

Contention

Notably, debates around the bill may center on its potential financial implications for state programs and how effective such exclusions can be in improving health outcomes. Critics might argue about the sustainability of allowing such income exclusions in the long run and whether there could be unintended consequences, such as an influx of too many part-time workers in outreach roles that could overwhelm existing programs or lead to budget shortfalls in the funding of social services.

Additional_points

Proponents of the bill emphasize the importance of community health work and the need for adequate support to further public health initiatives. The definition of 'community outreach worker' provided in the bill highlights the vital connection between these workers and the communities they serve, underlining the bill's intention to enhance communication between health organizations and community members. The bill also mandates the Commissioner of Human Services to pursue any necessary amendments or waivers to ensure federal compliance and financial participation in implementing these changes.