SF 4061

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/10/2026 09:15 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to food assistance; establishing the Minnesota supplemental nutrition
assistance program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
142F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [142F.121] MINNESOTA SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota supplemental nutrition assistance program
(MNSNAP) serves adults and children who are at significant risk of hunger due to federal
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts and restrictions. MNSNAP seeks
to solve the crisis created by ending federal food benefits to veterans, seniors, Minnesotans
experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, new Americans, and working
parents who have experienced a job loss.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Minnesotans who were or would have been eligible for federal
SNAP as of June 30, 2025, are eligible for MNSNAP.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Food benefits continuation. new text end

new text begin (a) When a participant is determined eligible for
MNSNAP, food assistance benefits must continue.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must determine the most appropriate and efficient state-funded
mechanism and county process to continue benefits for participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Assessment. new text end

new text begin (a) Within 30 days of a participant's enrollment in MNSNAP, the
county or Tribal agency or state-approved navigator must meet face-to-face with the
participant. The commissioner must ensure that the face-to-face meeting occurs.
new text end

new text begin (b) During the face-to-face meeting under paragraph (a), the county or Tribal agency or
state-approved navigator must:
new text end

new text begin (1) determine whether the participant's loss of federal SNAP benefits may be explained
by advanced age, illness, injury, violence, addiction, disability, homelessness, veteran status,
or a recent exit from the foster care system;
new text end

new text begin (2) determine whether the participant is eligible for an exemption under Code of Federal
Regulations, title 7, section 273.24;
new text end

new text begin (3) assist the participant in obtaining a current assessment by a behavioral health or
medical professional to identify any barriers to the participant's consistent compliance with
the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.24; and
new text end

new text begin (4) identify available resources that may assist a participant who is attempting to meet
the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.24.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the participant does not attend the face-to-face meeting, the county or Tribal agency
or state-approved navigator must attempt at least one home visit.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a face-to-face meeting is not conducted and the home visit attempt is unsuccessful,
the county or Tribal agency or state-approved navigator must send the participant a written
notice that provides information on MNSNAP.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Exiting MNSNAP. new text end

new text begin (a) Based on the assessment under subdivision 4, if the
county or Tribal agency or state-approved navigator determines a participant is eligible for
a federal exemption under Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.24, the participant
must exit MNSNAP and convert to receive federal SNAP benefits.
new text end

new text begin (b) Based on the assessment under subdivision 4, if the county or Tribal agency or
state-approved navigator determines a participant can consistently meet the federal
requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.24, the participant must
exit MNSNAP and convert to receive federal SNAP benefits.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Moratorium. new text end

new text begin Beginning July 1, 2026, the commissioner must enact an
emergency moratorium on the termination of food assistance for Minnesotans experiencing
new federal SNAP restrictions implemented after July 1, 2025, where there is no current
medical, behavioral health, or vocational assessment indicating a participant's ability to
consistently comply with the federal requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7,
section 273.24.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
children, youth, and families for the Minnesota supplemental nutrition assistance program
(MNSNAP) under Minnesota Statutes, section 142F.121.
new text end