98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB4497
 
Introduced , by Rep. John D. Cavaletto
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 


305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a new
    Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2015, electronic benefits transfer ("LINK") cards used to obtain SNAP benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and,  at the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary holders who are authorized to use the card. Establishes that an individual may only use the LINK card if the photo on the card matches the user or he or she presents a current and valid photo identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user listed on the card. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act the Department of Human Services shall begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and list the names of all authorized users of the card. Requires the transition to be completed no later than January 1, 2015. Effective immediately. 



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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
A BILL FOR
 


HB4497LRB098 17240 KTG 52333 b



1    AN ACT concerning public aid.

 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:


 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by 
5adding Section 12-4.4a as follows:
 
6    (305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a  new)
7    Sec. 12-4.4a. SNAP; electronic benefits transfer card; 
8photo identification.
9    (a) In this Section:
10    "LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card 
11issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of 
12enabling the cardholder to obtain SNAP benefits (formerly known 
13as food stamps) or cash.
14    "SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
15Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program). 
16    (b) On and after January 1, 2015, LINK cards used to obtain 
17SNAP benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the 
18primary cardholder. In addition, the card shall contain, at the 
19option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary 
20cardholders who are authorized to use the card to obtain SNAP 
21benefits or cash. An individual may use the LINK card to obtain 
22benefits only if:
23        (1) he or she is the primary cardholder listed on the 
 
 
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1    card and the photo on the card matches the user; or
2        (2) he or she is the secondary cardholder listed on the 
3    card and he or she shows a current and valid photo 
4    identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user 
5    listed on the card.
6    (c) On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 
798th General Assembly, the Department of Human Services shall 
8begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards 
9which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and 
10list the names of all authorized users of the card. This 
11transition shall be completed no later than January 1, 2015.
 

12    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
13becoming law.