97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB3173

 

Introduced 2/24/2011, 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, 2012, electronic benefits transfer cards ("LINK") used to obtain food stamp 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, 2012. Effective immediately.


LRB097 02881 KTG 42905 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3173LRB097 02881 KTG 42905 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. Food stamps; electronic benefits transfer
8card.
9    (a) In this Section, "LINK card" means an electronic
10benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human
11Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to
12obtain food stamp benefits or cash.
13    (b) On and after January 1, 2012, LINK cards used to obtain
14food stamp benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of
15the primary cardholder. In addition, the card shall contain, at
16the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary
17cardholders who are authorized to use the card to obtain food
18stamp benefits or cash. An individual may use the LINK card to
19obtain benefits only if :
20        (1) he or she is the primary cardholder listed on the
21    card and the photo on the card matches the user; or
22        (2) he or she is the secondary cardholder listed on the
23    card and he or she shows a current and valid photo

 

 

HB3173- 2 -LRB097 02881 KTG 42905 b

1    identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user
2    listed on the card.
3    (c) On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
497th General Assembly, the Department of Human Services shall
5begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards
6which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and
7list the names of all authorized users of the card. This
8transition shall be completed no later than January 1, 2012.
 
9    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
10becoming law.