Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Revision of Civil Right Data Collection Methods

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) proposes to revise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations that cover the collection and reporting of race and ethnicity data by State agencies on persons receiving benefits from SNAP. This rule would remove regulatory language that provides an example that State agencies might collect race and ethnicity data by observation (also referred to as "visual observation") when participants do not voluntarily provide the information on the application form. Through this rulemaking, FNS intends to improve the quality of data collected for purposes of Federal civil rights law and policy (including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is committed to promoting equity and inclusion through its Federal nutrition assistance programs. This regulatory change is consistent with this Administration's priorities and furthers FNS' commitment to build equitable and inclusive systems for nutrition access.