SB 169 – FINAL VERSION
06/24/2015 2310CofC
2015 SESSION
15-0595
05/10
SENATE BILL 169
AN ACT relative to permissible uses of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
SPONSORS: Sen. Forrester, Dist 2; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Boutin, Dist 16; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Cataldo, Dist 6; Sen.?Daniels, Dist 11; Sen. Little, Dist 8; Sen. Morse, Dist 22; Sen. Reagan, Dist?17; Sen. Sanborn, Dist 9; Sen. Stiles, Dist 24; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep.?Spanos, Belk?3; Rep. LeBrun, Hills 32; Rep. D. Brown, Graf 16; Rep.?E.?Johnson, Graf 7; Rep. Darrow, Graf 17
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
This bill expands restrictions on the use of EBT cards. The bill also directs the department of health and human services to report on the adoption and implementation of restrictions on the use of EBT cards.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
06/24/2015 2310CofC
15-0595
05/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
AN ACT relative to permissible uses of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Public Assistance; Prohibited Use of Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards. Amend RSA 167:7-b, I to read as follows:
I. Any person receiving public assistance is prohibited from using electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards or cash obtained with EBT cards for the purpose of purchasing any product or participating in any activities in any location listed in paragraph I-a or II. Any person receiving public assistance who uses an EBT card in violation of paragraph I-a or II shall be subject to the following penalties:
(a) Suspension of cash assistance benefits for that person for 2 pay periods for the first offense.
(b) Suspension of cash assistance benefits for that person for 4 pay periods for the second offense.
(c) Suspension of cash assistance benefits for that person for 6 pay periods for the third and subsequent offense.
I-a. Any person who receives public assistance is prohibited from using an EBT card or cash obtained with an EBT card to gamble or to purchase tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets, firearms, or adult entertainment.
2 New Subparagraph; Prohibited Use of Electronic Benefit Transfer Card; Tattoos and Body Piercing. Amend RSA 167:7-b, II by inserting after subparagraph (d) the following new subparagraph:
(e) Business establishments primarily engaged in the practice of body piercing, branding, or tattooing.
3 New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services; Restrictions on the Use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards; Report Required. On or before October 1, 2015, the department of health and human services shall report to the fiscal committee of the general court on the adoption and implementation of restrictions on the use of cash assistance. The report shall outline the goals of cash assistance, review applicable state and federal regulations governing restrictions on the use of cash assistance, summarize the department’s findings regarding enforcement of RSA?167:7-b, and make recommendations relative to the regulation of cash assistance programs. The report shall include an education plan for recipients regarding the requirements of RSA 167:7-b and the permissible and prohibited use of cash assistance.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. VETOED 7/10/15