SB2003 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 10224 KTG 50420 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB2003

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 every electronic benefits transfer ("LINK") card issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling the cardholder to obtain SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits or cash must include on the card's face a photograph of the cardholder. Provides that within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Department shall replace every still-valid card issued before that date with a card that includes on its face a photograph of the cardholder.

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. SNAP benefits; electronic benefits transfer card.

(a) In this Section:

"Cardholder" means the person to whom or for whose benefit the Department issues an electronic benefits transfer card for the purpose of obtaining SNAP benefits or cash.

"Caregiver identification card" means a caregiver photo identification card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling a holder of the card to use a LINK card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash on behalf of a person entitled to benefits funded under the federal SNAP program.

"Caregiver" has the same meaning ascribed to that term in Section 12-21 of the Criminal Code of 1961.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

"Facility provider" means an individual representing a facility that provides residential services to persons who are developmentally disabled.

"Guardian" has the same meaning ascribed to that term in Section 10 of the Health Care Surrogate Act.

"LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department for the purpose of enabling the cardholder to obtain SNAP benefits or cash.

"SNAP" or "SNAP program" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program).

(b) Every LINK card issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly must include on the card's face a photograph of the cardholder.

(c) Within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the Department shall replace every still-valid LINK card issued before that date with a card that includes on its face a photograph of the cardholder.

(d) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the Department of Human Services shall issue a caregiver identification card to the facility provider, guardian, or caregiver of a person entitled to benefits funded under the federal SNAP program. Every caregiver identification card must include on its face a current photo of the facility provider, guardian, or caregiver of the person entitled to benefits, the name of the person entitled to benefits, and a statement that clearly identifies the card holder as having the legal capacity to use the named person's LINK card. Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, a facility provider, guardian, or caregiver must present a valid caregiver identification card when using a LINK card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash on behalf of a person entitled to benefits funded under the federal SNAP program.