Bill Text: MO HB156 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Specifies that a recipient of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits who makes an electronic benefit transaction at any casino or gaming establishment will be ineligible for benefits for three years
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-12 - Public Hearing Completed (H) [HB156 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2013-HB156-Introduced.html
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SOMMER (Sponsor), KELLEY (127), WIELAND AND MUNTZEL (Co-sponsors).
0637L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to a prohibition on use of public assistance benefits.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 208.031 and 208.032, to read as follows:
208.031. 1. Electronic benefit transfer transactions made by each applicant or recipient who is otherwise eligible for temporary assistance for needy families benefits under this chapter and who is found to have made a cash withdrawal at any casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment shall, after an administrative hearing conducted by the department under the provisions of chapter 536, be declared ineligible for temporary assistance for needy families benefits for a period of three years from the date of the administrative hearing decision. For purposes of this section, "casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment" does not include a grocery store which sells groceries including such staple foods and which also offers, or is located within the same building or complex as, casino, gambling, or gaming activities.
2. Other members of a household which includes a person who has been declared ineligible for temporary assistance for needy families assistance shall, if otherwise eligible, continue to receive temporary assistance for needy families benefits as protective or vendor payments to a third-party payee for the benefit of the members of the household.
3. Any person who, in good faith, reports a suspected violation of this section by a TANF recipient shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for reporting such suspected violation.
4. The department of social services shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2013, shall be invalid and void.
208.032. 1. In accordance with the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 608(a)(12), the department of social services shall implement and maintain policies and practices which prevent a temporary assistance for needy families electronic benefit transfer transaction in:
(1) Any liquor store;
(2) Any casino, gambling casino, or gambling establishment; or
(3) Any retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.
2. As used in this section, the term:
(1) "Casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment" shall not include:
(a) A grocery store which sells groceries including staple foods and which also offers, or is located within the same building or complex as, casino, gambling, or gaming activities;
(b) "Electronic benefit transfer transaction" means the use of a credit or debit card service, automated teller machine, point-of-sale terminal, or access to an online system for the withdrawal of funds or the processing of a payment for merchandise or a service;
(c) "Liquor store" means any retail establishment which sells exclusively or primarily intoxicating liquor. Liquor store does not include a grocery store which sells both intoxicating liquor and groceries including staple foods within the meaning of Section 3(r) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. Section 2012(r).
3. In accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 602(a)(1)(A), the department of social services shall:
(1) Implement policies and procedures as necessary to prevent access to assistance provided under Missouri's temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program through any electronic fund transaction in an automated teller machine or point-of-sale device located in a place described in subsections 1 and 2 of this section, including a plan to ensure that recipients of the assistance have adequate access to their cash assistance; and
(2) Ensure that recipients of assistance provided under Missouri's TANF program have access to using or withdrawing assistance with minimal fees or charges, including an opportunity to access assistance with no fee or charges, and are provided information on applicable fees and charges that apply to electronic fund transactions involving the assistance, and that such information is made publicly available.
4. On or before December 31, 2014, the department shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly detailing the policies and practices implemented in accordance with the requirements of this section and the requirements of 42 U.S.C. Section 608(a)(12). In addition, the department shall report Missouri's implementation of the policies and practices to the Secretary of Health and Human Services as required under 42 U.S.C. Section 609(a)(16) within two years of the enactment of such federal law.
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