2015 -- H 5104

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LC000404

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE-FRAUD PREVENTION

     Introduced By: Representatives Messier, McLaughlin, Serpa, Fellela, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-6 of the General Laws entitled "Public Assistance Act" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-6-8.1. Electronic benefit transfer cards for supplemental nutrition assistance

program (SNAP). -- The department shall:

     (1) Require the use of photo identification on the front of each newly issued and reissued

electronic benefit transfer card for each cardholder who is over the age of eighteen (18); provided,

however, that the department shall promulgate regulations to ensure that all authorized users and

members of the household are able to use an electronic benefit transfer card pursuant to 7 U.S.C.

2016(h)(9); provided further, that the department shall not require the use of photo identification

for individuals who are sixty (60) years of age or over, blind, disabled or victims of domestic

violence; and provided, further, that in developing regulations for authorized users, the

department shall consult with businesses or vendor associations whose members accept electronic

benefit transfer cards as a form of payment including, but not limited to, the Rhode Island Food

Dealers Association and the New England Convenience Store Association; and

     (2) Include the fraud hotline number and department website on all newly issued

electronic benefit transfer cards; and

     (3) Require that any retailer that accepts electronic benefit transfer cards to post the fraud

hotline number provided by the department; and

     (4) List on each application and renewal forms items prohibited from purchase with

electronic benefit transfer cards; and

     (5) Send a notice to any benefit recipient who requests more than three (3) replacement

electronic benefit transfer cards in a calendar year and monitor future requests for replacement

cards; provided that the notice shall state that the department has noted an unusual number of

requests for replacement electronic benefits cards and will be monitoring all future requests for

replacement cards.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on September 1, 2015.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE-FRAUD PREVENTION

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     This act would require the department of human services to issue electronic benefit

transfer cards containing a photograph of the cardholder if they are over the age of eighteen (18),

under the age of sixty (60) and not blind, disabled or victims of domestic violence. This act would

also require the department to implement certain procedures designed to reduce fraud and abuse.

     This act would take effect on September 1, 2015.

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