Soon, I plan to introduce legislation increasing penalties for convicted offenders who steal assistance dollars from SNAP recipients, through an illegal act referred to as "SNAP Skimming". Sadly, as of August 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) received claims of 2,750 alleged incidents of SNAP electronic theft, totaling $459,084.49 in stolen funds. Those were assistance dollars meant for eligible SNAP recipients, to put food on the table for their family when they need it most. Instead, criminal enterprises are using skimming devices to steal recipients’ payment card information, which is then used to drain a victim’s account, unknowingly. 
 
In our Commonwealth there are over 2.02 million Pennsylvanians enrolled in SNAP (Sept. 2024). That encompasses hundreds of thousands of children, older adults and disabled individuals who rely on these benefits. This reprehensible theft not only hurts those vulnerable populations but steals from the taxpayers who fund these programs. The federal government and our Commonwealth have enacted regulatory measures to assist victims with receiving back stolen money, however, more needs to be done. That is why my legislation seeks to increase the penalties for those criminals using skimming devices or other means to obtain and illegally use SNAP benefits for their own gain.
 
My bill will create a new offense targeting SNAP skimmers, for any person who, knowingly and with intent to defraud produces, uses, or traffics in, has control or custody of, or possesses one or more counterfeit access devices that replicates the payment card information of a person receiving assistance. Compared to the existing grading schedule for benefits fraud by an applicant, my bill will increase the grading of theft of benefits of $1000 or more from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony, which if convicted can result in a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000. In addition, theft of $999 or less, or an attempt to steal benefits from a recipient is enhanced from a third-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, which if convicted can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000. Convicted offenders would also be made permanently ineligible for assistance programs.
 
There is nothing lower than stealing from those in need. I ask my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.
 
Prior cosponsors included Senators: FARRY, PHILLIPS-HILL, LAUGHLIN, COSTA, and DUSH.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0308: P.L.31, No.21