S 445 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Requires DHS and DOH, respectively, to provide information to SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to replace stolen benefits; makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to provide SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients with clear information about card skimming, cloning, and fraud prevention. It mandates that DHS and DOH distribute written materials at enrollment/recertification points, post digital/paper resources online and at offices, and establish processes to replace benefits stolen through these fraud methods using federal or state funds. The bill also directs both departments to coordinate with card vendors to implement security measures like chip technology and transaction alerts. Recipients must report fraud to DHS/DOH or law enforcement, with annual reports tracking fraud incidents and benefit replacements.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill → Introduced · 2 edits · Jan 13, 2026

MINOR

The bill moved from a committee-reported version with technical review to an introduced version pending technical review by Legislative Counsel. The only substantive addition is a new STATEMENT section that summarizes the bill's provisions, including definitions of card skimming and cloning, information distribution requirements, a claims process for replacing stolen benefits, vendor coordination for EBT card security improvements, and reporting obligations. No changes were made to the operative text of the bill itself.

TECHNICAL

A new STATEMENT section was added summarizing the bill's purpose and provisions, including definitions of 'skimming' and 'card cloning,' information distribution requirements at enrollment and recertification, a claims process for replacing stolen benefits, vendor coordination for EBT card security (such as embedded microchips), and a requirement to report to the Governor and Legislature 18 months after the effective date and annually thereafter.

The bill header changed from 'S445 TR' to 'S445' and the status line changed from 'As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee with technical review' to 'Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel,' reflecting a procedural stage change rather than a policy change.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 16, 2026

Committee

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

upper

2 primary · 2 co-sponsors