Provides that applicants for or recipients of SNAP benefits shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2538A
SPONSOR: Davila TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to finger imaging
for SNAP benefit recipients
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to eliminate the finger imaging matching
identification system for applicants or recipients of food stamp
program.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Amends subdivision 3 of section 95 of the social services law, by adding
a new paragraph (d).
JUSTIFICATION:
Finger imaging requirements in the Food Stamp Program (also known as
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have proven to decrease
participation in this vital program while imposing an unnecessary admin-
istrative burden on the government. Prior to 2012, New York was one of
the only two states that required fingerprinting of Food Stamp appli-
cants and recipients. At that time, 3o% of New Yorkers who were eligible
for the program did not participate. Studies at that time demonstrated
that this policy resulted in the denial of needed benefits to eligible
households, often for months, while failing to reduce fraud. Since 2012,
it has been a policy of the state to simplify the application process
and remove this barrier, which perpetuated a negative stigma and kept
food off the table for those in need. The Office of Temporary and Disa-
bility Assistance (OTDA) put in place a new statewide system for deter-
mining Food and Stamp eligibility that, along with federal requirements,
prevents duplicate participation in a less costly and more effective
manner.
By 2015, participation increased significantly, with 87% of eligible
individuals participating in the Food Stamp Program. Given this success,
codification in state law is appropriate.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: A. 9594
2021-2022:A.2367
2019-2020:A.4180;
2017-2018:A.3044;
2015-2016:A.1489;
2013-2014:A.2666;
2011-2012:A.5303-A;
2009-10: A.1681;
2008-2009: A.10215;
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No new fiscal implications.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
September 1, 2026
