SB1956 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 10227 KTG 50423 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB1956

Introduced 2/10/2011, by Sen. Linda Holmes

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a new

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services shall seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to specify certain foods that may and may not be purchased in Illinois with the benefits funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), including a general ban on the use of SNAP benefits to purchase foods of minimal nutritional value such as carbonated soft drinks, snack cakes, candies, chewing gum, flavored ice bars, and fried, high-fat chips. Requires the Secretary to consult with members of the General Assembly in developing the waiver and to obtain approval from the General Assembly before implementing the waiver. Further provides that beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act, in order to use a "LINK" electronic benefits transfer card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash, the user must show a current and valid photo identification. Prohibits such use of a LINK card if the name on the photo identification does not match the name on the LINK card or if the photo does not match the user of the card. Provides that every LINK card issued on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act must include on its face the name of every household member entitled to use the card.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 12-4.4a as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a new)

Sec. 12-4.4a. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); waiver to determine food that may be purchased in Illinois; photo ID requirement.

(a) As used in this Section:

"LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits or cash.

(b) The Secretary of Human Services shall seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to specify foods that may and may not be purchased in Illinois with benefits funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as the Food Stamps Program), including a general ban on the use of SNAP benefits to purchase foods of minimal nutritional value such as carbonated soft drinks, snack cakes, candies, chewing gum, flavored ice bars, and fried, high-fat chips. The Secretary shall consult with members of the General Assembly in developing the waiver and must obtain the approval of the General Assembly prior to implementing the waiver.

(c) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, in order to use a LINK card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits or cash, the user must show a current and valid photo identification. A person may not use a LINK card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash if:

(1) the name on the photo identification presented by the user does not match the name of any person designated on the face of the LINK card as a person entitled to use the card; or

(2) the photo does not match the user of the card.

(d) Every LINK card issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly must include on its face the name of every household member entitled to use the card.