BILL NUMBER: S5807A
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring any
website or mobile application associated with an electronic benefit
transfer system to be offered in the twelve most common non-English
languages
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would require websites and mobile applications for EBT systems
to be made available in the twelve most common non-English languages.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill adds new subdivisions 3(a) and 3(b) to § 21-a of
the social services law that establish that any website or mobile appli-
cations associated with an EBT system be made available in the twelve
most common non-English languages. This section also makes clear that
any website or mobile applications associated with an EBT system must
provide for the translation of any documents made available for viewing
in the twelve most common non-English languages.
Section two of the bill provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent months, there has been an explosion in incidents in which
unsuspecting beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) have fallen victim to EBT fraud and theft schemes. Just
recently, New York city councilmember Sandra Ung's office reported that
they had received over 1,900 cases of EBT fraud and theft cases from
August to December of 2024. Sadly, constituents who primarily spoke
Chinese made up a majority of the thousands of EBT fraud and theft cases
that were reported by her office.
While the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has
created a website and mobile app, EBTEdge, to allow benefit recipients
to cancel their EBT cards, lock their EBT cards, or unlock their EBT
cards when they suspect fraud or fraud has been reported, this applica-
tion is currently only offered in English and Spanish. This language
barrier makes it difficult for these victims to use the available
systems to safeguard fraudulent activity effectively. By mandating that
EBT systems expand their language offerings to include the twelve most
common non-English languages, this legislation will ensure that these
beneficiaries have equal access to tools that protect their benefits.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.8917A of 2023-2024: Passed Senate; Delivered to Assembly and Referred
to Social Services.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5807: 21-a social services law
S5807A: 21-a social services law