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A 3883

Requires Governor's Office of Volunteerism to promote and support volunteerism for compliance with certain eligibility requirements for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP recipients; appropriates $200,000 to DHS, Office of Volunteerism, and DOLWD.*

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 14 co-sponsors

Allows NJ FamilyCare and SNAP applicants to count qualifying volunteer work toward work/community engagement requirements via a state-run online tool and mobile app.

Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (40-0)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 3883

Summary of Assembly Bill A-3883 (2026)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism (GOOV) in the Department of State, to promote and support volunteerism as a pathway to satisfy work/community engagement requirements tied to eligibility for NJ FamilyCare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  • This is in response to federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that expand or modify work requirements for these programs. The measure aims to help current and future beneficiaries comply by allowing volunteer hours to count toward compliance and by making it easier to find qualifying opportunities.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Enhanced volunteer resources and access (DHSGOOV collaboration)

    • Develop, modify, or expand a web-based volunteer search tool that lists bona fide volunteer opportunities that satisfy the applicable NJ FamilyCare and SNAP requirements.
    • Engage non-profit organizations, community groups, businesses, and government agencies to identify qualifying volunteer opportunities.
    • Create or modify a web-based database for organizations to register as providers of compliant volunteer opportunities and to submit opportunities for inclusion in the tool.
    • Link the tool and provide explanations of the requirements on relevant state websites (NJ FamilyCare, SNAP, GOOVIS).

  2. Mobile submission and documentation (DHS)

    • Create or modify a mobile app allowing NJ FamilyCare and SNAP applicants/beneficiaries to submit necessary information and documentation showing volunteer/community service hours to meet the Medicaid community engagement and SNAP work requirements under OBBBA.

  3. Oversight and compliance (DHS)

    • DHS must conduct annual audit reviews of submitted volunteer opportunities and accompanying information/documents to verify accuracy and prevent abuse.

  4. Liability protection

    • The State is immune from liability for injuries to volunteers arising from participation in activities connected to the web-based tool.

  5. Regulatory authority (immediate effect)

    • The Commissioner of DHS, with GOOV, is authorized to adopt regulations immediately upon filing with the Administrative Law (effective for up to 18 months, extendable per statutory rulemaking processes).

  6. Funding

    • The bill appropriates $125,000 to DHS and the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism to support these activities (as indicated in the title and summary), though the specific line-item language is not included in the provided text.

What entities would be affected

  • Primary: New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS)
  • Partner: Governor’s Office of Volunteerism (GOOV) within the Department of State
  • Stakeholders: NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries/applicants, SNAP beneficiaries/applicants, non-profit organizations, community organizations, volunteer-based programs, and state agencies seeking to list qualifying opportunities

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Regulatory action: DHS, in consultation with GOOV, would adopt necessary regulations immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law; these regulations would be effective for up to 18 months, after which they could be amended, adopted, or readopt following standard rulemaking processes.
  • Effective date: The act states it takes effect immediately upon enactment for regulatory and programmatic actions.
  • Reporting/action timeline: The bill requires ongoing development, implementation, and annual audits; no discrete legislative milestones are specified beyond the 18-month initial regulatory window.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Potentially reduces barriers to maintaining eligibility for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP by allowing volunteer work to satisfy work/community engagement requirements.
  • Improves accessibility by providing a centralized, state-managed platform for locating qualifying volunteer opportunities and submitting documentation.
  • Creates oversight to deter misuse and to ensure the integrity of the volunteer-based compliance mechanism.
  • Provides limited liability protection for volunteers participating through state-sanctioned platforms.

Note: The bill is in the introduced/pending technical review stage as of the latest text, with amendments pending in the 2026 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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