Amendment #842 to H4100

EBT Amendment - IG & Auditor Reports

Representatives Conroy of Wayland, Sciortino of Medford, Rushing of Boston, Wolf of Cambridge, Balser of Newton, Swan of Springfield, Khan of Newton, Sannicandro of Ashland and O'Day of West Boylston moves to amend the bill by striking Section 35 and inserting in place thereof the following new section:

SECTION 35. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the inspector general shall make public and file a written report to the house and senate committees on ways and means regarding the results of any study conducted under the inspector general’s auspices pursuant to the recommendations of the Special Commission to Study Electronic Benefit Transfers established by Chapter 219 of the Acts of 2011; provided further, that 60 days before filing said report the inspector general shall provide a draft of the report to the department of transitional assistance for review and comment, and shall include the department’s comments with the report when it is made public and filed; provided further that, the state auditor shall conduct an audit of the department of transitional assistance electronic benefits transfer system for cash assistance benefits to determine (a) whether and the extent to which the system presents opportunities for fraud; and (b) an estimate of associated funds that would be expended under such fraudulent activities; and (c) the logistical viability and cost of pursuing additional anti-fraud and anti-waste efforts, including those recommended by the Special Commission to Study Electronic Benefit Transfers established by Chapter 219 of the Acts of 2011 to be conducted by the department of transitional assistance or any other state agency or private entity so contracted on the use of electronic benefit transfer cards;  and shall make public and file a written report to the house and senate committees on ways and means regarding its findings and recommendations to remedy any operational, administrative or programmatic issues with respect to said system in need of correction no later than March 1, 2013; provided further, that 60 days before filing said report, the state auditor shall provide a draft of the report to the department of transitional assistance for review and comment and shall include the department’s comments with the report when it is filed.