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HB1634 • 2026

SNAP benefits; require certain recipients of to participate in an employment and training program.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-12-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL REQUIRE PERSONS WHO ARE RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS WHO ARE EIGHTEEN TO FIFTY-NINE YEARS OF AGE, DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE IN THEIR HOME, DO NOT QUALIFY FOR AN EXEMPTION, AND ARE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO BE ELIGIBLE, TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Children
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Varner
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law, so its exact impact remains unknown.

SNAP Benefits; Employment Training Requirement

This bill requires certain SNAP recipients to participate in employment training programs.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 43-12-19 to add new requirements for SNAP benefits.
  • Requires people aged 18 to 59 who do not have children under 18 at home and are not exempt from the rule to participate in employment training programs if they receive SNAP benefits.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People aged 18 to 59 who do not have children under 18 at home and are receiving SNAP benefits.
  • The Mississippi Department of Human Services

Terms To Know

SNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program that helps low-income people buy food.
Exemption
An exception from the requirement to participate in employment training programs.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
  • It is unclear how many people would be affected by this change.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (H) Referred To Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Official Summary Text

SNAP benefits; require certain recipients of to participate in an employment and training program.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 1634 *HR26/R918* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R918
PAGE 1 (RF\KW)

To: Accountability,
Efficiency, Transparency
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Varner

HOUSE BILL NO. 1634

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-12-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL REQUIRE 2
PERSONS WHO ARE RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE 3
PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS WHO ARE EIGHTEEN TO FIFTY-NINE YEARS OF 4
AGE, DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE IN THEIR 5
HOME, DO NOT QUALIFY FOR AN EXEMPTION, AND ARE DETERMINED BY THE 6
DEPARTMENT TO BE ELIGIBLE, TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EMPLOYMENT AND 7
TRAINING PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 9
SECTION 1. Section 43-12-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 10
amended as follows: 11
43-12-19. Work requirements. (1) The Department of Human 12
Services shall not seek, apply for, accept or renew any waiver of 13
requirements established under 7 USC Section 2015(o), except 14
during a formal state or federal declaration of a natural 15
disaster. 16
(2) Unless prohibited by federal law or regulation, the 17
Department of Human Services shall require a person who is 18
receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 19
benefits who: (a) is at least eighteen (18) but not more than 20
fifty-nine (59) years of age; (b) does not have children under 21
H. B. No. 1634 *HR26/R918* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R918
PAGE 2 (RF\KW)
ST: SNAP benefits; require certain recipients
of to participate in an employment and training
program.
eighteen (18) years of age in his or her home; (c) does not 22
qualify for an exemption; and (d) is determined by the department 23
to be eligible, to participate in an employment and training 24
program, as provided in 7 USC Section 2015(d). 25
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 26
and after July 1, 2026. 27