BILL NUMBER: S9649
SPONSOR: CHU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to the study of
supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefit fraud
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to identify the prevalence of SNAP
benefit fraud in the State, and report future regulations to evolve the
technology relating to SNAP benefit cards.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 directs the commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disa-
bility Assistance to conduct a study on the prevalence of supplemental
nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefit fraud. The study shall
include a detailed evaluation of the prevalence of stolen SNAP benefits,
and examination of current barriers to technological advancement of the
electronic benefit system, and any other information the commissioner
deems appropriate.
Upon completion of the study, the commissioner shall submit this report
and its findings to the governor, temporary president of the Senate, and
the speaker of the Assembly. Additionally, no later than 120 after the
end of each fiscal year after the submission of an initial report, the
commissioner shall submit to the individuals listed above, an updated
report that shall include a periodic review and modifications of regu-
lations relating to SNAP benefit fraud.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Within the last nine months, more than 61,000 New Yorkers have filed a
claim of EBT fraud, and an estimated $17 million in SNAP benefits have
been reported stolen from January 2022 to October 2023. With the contin-
ued claims of SNAP and EBT fraud increasing, New York must begin identi-
fying the ways in which these benefits are stolen. This legislation
requires the commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability
Assistance to conduct a study on the prevalence of SNAP benefit fraud.
This bill will identify the common tactics used by scammers, and report
any recommendations on how to evolve EBT technology to prevent extreme
levels of fraud. This legislation will also better align New York stat-
utes to federal guidelines.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S9649: 95 social services law