TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A WAIVER TO EXCLUDE CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS FROM ELIGIBLE FOODS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Senate Bill 217 requires the Arkansas Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver. This waiver would seek to exclude candy and soft drinks from the list of food items eligible for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If the waiver is granted, it would change what SNAP beneficiaries in Arkansas are able to buy with their benefits. The bill mandates the department to pursue this specific modification to the program's eligible food list.