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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 43-5-1172 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE USE OF ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFERS FOR MONTHLY FAMILY INDEPENDENCE BENEFIT PAYMENTS EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROHIBIT FAMILY INDEPENDENCE RECIPIENTS FROM MAKING CERTAIN PURCHASES WITH THESE BENEFIT PAYMENTS, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT FAMILY INDEPENDENCE RECIPIENTS FROM USING THESE BENEFIT PAYMENTS TO MAKE PROHIBITED PURCHASES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 9, Chapter 5, Title 43 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 43-5-1172. (A) The department shall make monthly benefit payments to FI recipients delivered electronically into debit accounts, except in limited circumstances provided for pursuant to department regulation. The only funds that may be deposited on these cards are those issued by the department.
(B) A recipient is prohibited from accessing benefits in a liquor store, casino, gambling casino, gaming establishment, or a retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.
(C) The department shall undertake reasonable efforts to prevent a recipient from accessing benefits in violation of subsection (B), including by:
(1) providing information to new and existing FI recipients that explains the restrictions on the use of the benefits;
(2) raising public awareness of the restrictions on the use of the benefits by placing conspicuous notices in the department's state and county offices and on the department website; and
(3) seeking cooperation of vendors to block access to the benefits in the prohibited locations, including access to the benefits at automated teller machines in these locations."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on February 18, 2014 at 2:03 PM