BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 620

By: Bonnen, Greg

Human Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) are federal assistance programs administered by the state that provide benefits to eligible participants to help buy food and other authorized items. The benefits are distributed monthly to a recipient's electronic benefits card and when the individual pays for approved SNAP or TANF items the individual swipes the benefits card through an electronic device and enters a unique personal identification number. The amount of the purchase is then automatically subtracted from the appropriate benefit account. There is concern that the lack of a requirement to display photo identification beyond the point of issuance of a recipient's benefit card has led to fraudulent activity. C.S.H.B. 620 seeks to address this concern to enhance the integrity of these assistance programs.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 620 amends the Government Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to ensure that each electronic benefits transfer card used by a recipient or other authorized person for purposes of receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program displays the name and photograph of the recipient or other authorized person, as appropriate. The bill requires HHSC, not later than January 1, 2016, to ensure that any applicable electronic benefits transfer cards used on or after that date conform to the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 620 differs from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to changes made by S.B. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, which became effective April 2, 2015.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.0911 to read as follows: Sec. 531.0911.  PHOTOGRAPH ON CERTAIN ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER CARDS.  (a)  In this section: (1)  "Financial assistance program" means the financial assistance program established under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. (2)  "Recipient" means a person who receives benefits under the financial assistance program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (3)  "Supplemental nutrition assistance program" has the meaning assigned by Section 33.051, Human Resources Code. (b)  The commission shall ensure that each electronic benefits transfer card used by a recipient, or other person authorized on the recipient's account, for purposes of receiving benefits under the financial assistance program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program displays the name and photograph of the recipient or other authorized person, as appropriate.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.0911 to read as follows: Sec. 531.0911.  PHOTOGRAPH ON CERTAIN ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER CARDS.  (a)  In this section: (1)  "Financial assistance program" means the financial assistance program established under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. (2)  "Recipient" means a person who receives benefits under the financial assistance program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (3)  "Supplemental nutrition assistance program" has the meaning assigned by Section 33.0005, Human Resources Code. (b)  The commission shall ensure that each electronic benefits transfer card used by a recipient, or other person authorized on the recipient's account, for purposes of receiving benefits under the financial assistance program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program displays the name and photograph of the recipient or other authorized person, as appropriate.
SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2016, the Health and Human Services Commission shall ensure that electronic benefits transfer cards used on or after that date to deliver benefits to recipients under the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, and the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, conform to Section 531.0911, Government Code, as added by this Act.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.