Amendment #1208 to H4200

Out of state spending of cash benefits

Representatives O'Connell of Taunton, DeCoste of Norwell, D'Emilia of Bridgewater, Jones of North Reading and Lombardo of Billerica move to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

"SECTION XXXX. (f) No person shall knowingly access, or provide access to, direct cash assistance funds held on electronic benefit transfer cards or access devices to an eligible recipient from outside the commonwealth, except for states that immediately border the commonwealth; provided, however, that the department may permit direct cash assistance funds held on electronic benefit transfer cards or access devices to an eligible recipient to be accessed outside of the commonwealth or states along its border for a family or medical emergency or other such emergency purpose as approved by the department; and provided further, that an electronic benefit transfer card or access device shall be authorized to access federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in any manner authorized by federal law.

(g) Any eligible recipient of direct cash assistance who knowingly makes a purchase in violation of this section shall reimburse the department for such purchase and shall be disqualified from the direct cash assistance program for a period of 3 months for the first offense and permanently for the second offense."