BILL NUMBER: S7943
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring the
office of temporary and disability assistance to make available skimming
warning signs in various languages; and in relation to requiring the
department of social services to make certain materials available in
various languages
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency are
adequately informed about food stamp programs and electronic benefit
transfer (EBT) scams by requiring the Department of Social Services and
the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to create signs and
public assistance information in the twelve most commonly spoken
languages in New York State.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the social services law to require the office of Tempo-
rary and Disability Assistance to make informative signs regarding EBT
scams available in English and in the twelve languages most commonly
spoken by limited English proficient individuals in the state.
Section 2 amends the social services law to require the Department of
Social Services to make informative materials about the food stamp
program in English and in the twelve languages most commonly spoken by
limited English proficient individuals in the state
Section 3 provides for an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Skimming scams targeting EBT cards have surged in recent years, often
depriving vulnerable New Yorkers of the essential benefits they rely on
for food and basic needs. Immigrant and limited English proficient
communities are particularly at risk due to language barriers that
prevent them from understanding warning notices and protective actions.
This bill builds on existing efforts to combat EBT fraud by mandating
that critical warning signs and program materials are available in the
twelve most commonly spoken languages in New York State. Making this
information linguistically accessible will increase awareness, enhance
fraud prevention, and promote equitable access to public assistance.
Ensuring that all residents - regardless of language proficiency - are
informed of the risks and protections related to EBT usage is a matter
of both consumer protection and social equity.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law.

Statutes affected:
S7943: 152-d social services law, 152-d(6) social services law, 95-a social services law, 95-a(7) social services law