MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s bill helping economically disadvantaged college students qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program passed the Assembly Human Services Committee Monday.
“These students are working hard to educate themselves and to build a better life for their future and they can’t be effective in doing that when they are without access to good food,” said Dunn (R-Morris). “The state can and should seek a narrow waiver of federal rules to help these hard-working students have the resources to survive and thrive. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to advance this common-sense bill.”
The bill (A4168) would authorize college students who receive assistance from the state’s Educational Opportunity Fund to obtain SNAP benefits regardless of whether the student satisfies the 20-hour weekly work requirement.
The committee released the bill by a unanimous vote of 7-0 and now waits for action by the full Assembly.