Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Assemblyman R. BRUCE LAND
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Transfers administration of certain nutrition programs to Department of Agriculture.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act transferring responsibility for the administration of certain nutrition programs and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section, "special nutrition programs" means the "WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program" established by the federal "WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Act of 1992," Pub. L. 102-314 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et al.), the "Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program" established by 7 U.S.C. s.3007, and the "Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children" established by 42 U.S.C. s.1786.
b. Pursuant to section 3 of the federal "WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Act of 1992," Pub. L. 102-314 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et al.), and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the Governor shall designate the Department of Agriculture as the appropriate State agency to administer the "WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program."
c. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. s.3007, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the Governor shall designate the Department of Agriculture as the appropriate State agency to administer the "Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program."
d. Pursuant to the "Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children," 42 U.S.C. s.1786, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the Department of Agriculture shall be the designated State agency to administer the program.
e. Any employees of the Department of Health responsible for administering the special nutrition programs prior to the enactment of this act who the Secretary of Agriculture deems to be necessary for the proper administration of the special nutrition programs are transferred to the Department of Agriculture.
f. The transfer directed by this act shall be made in accordance with the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L.1971, c. 375 (C.52:14D-1 et seq.).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would transfer primary administration of the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. This transfer is made pursuant to recommendations of the Agriculture Subcommittee of the Governor's Transition Team.
The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children have been established through the United States Department of Agriculture. Pursuant to the federal law, the states participating in these nutrition programs have been granted the authority to designate the agency or agencies responsible for their administration. Since their inception, the Department of Health has been the designated agency for these programs in New Jersey. However, given the Department of Agriculture's growing role in the administration of other State nutrition programs, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the School Breakfast Program, it is appropriate to consolidate these programs under one primary agency. It is expected that the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health will continue to work together to ensure that eligible New Jersey citizens are provided the nutrition services they need.
The bill would transfer responsibility for the administration of these nutrition programs to the Department of Agriculture. Additionally, the bill would transfer all grants and other money made available to the programs to the Department of Agriculture. Finally, any employees of the Department of Health deemed necessary for the proper administration of these programs would be transferred to the Department of Agriculture.