"New Jersey Healthy SNAP Act"; requires DHS to submit waiver to federal government to prohibit purchase of soft drinks with SNAP benefits.

New Jersey's A2624, the "Healthy SNAP Act," requires the state Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver prohibiting SNAP beneficiaries from using benefits to purchase soft drinks. The bill defines soft drinks as non-alcoholic, sweetened beverages (excluding milk-based drinks and juice-heavy beverages) and mandates a waiver request including public health justification, implementation plans for retailers, recipient education, and impact tracking. If approved, the restriction would take effect within six months; if denied, the state must resubmit the waiver annually. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients in New Jersey and aims to align state SNAP usage with nutritional goals, following the existing WIC program's exclusion of soft drinks.