Directing the department of social and health services to apply for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture restricting the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits from being used to purchase unhealthy foods such as candy and sweetened beverages.

SB 6186 directs Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services to seek a federal waiver from the USDA, which currently restricts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from purchasing candy and sweetened beverages. If approved, the waiver would allow SNAP recipients in Washington to use their benefits for these items, though the bill explicitly excludes milk, 50%+ juice drinks, sports drinks, and medical beverages from the restriction. The department must annually request the waiver until granted, but the bill does not change current federal rules - SNAP benefits would still be restricted until the waiver is approved. This bill affects Washington SNAP participants who currently cannot buy candy or sugary drinks with their benefits, pending federal approval. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Human Services Committee after a public hearing.