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SD 1166

An Act establishing a special commission to study the integrity of public assistance programs

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Establishes a temporary commission to study Massachusetts' EBT system integrity, propose reforms to curb fraud and boost oversight, with findings due within 12 months.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 1166

Summary: SD 1166 — An Act establishing a special commission to study the integrity of public assistance programs

Overview

SD 1166 proposes creating a temporary, independent special commission to study and recommend improvements to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system in the Commonwealth. The goal is to strengthen oversight, administration, and integrity of public assistance benefits, reduce fraud, and ensure benefits are used as intended. The bill overrides existing laws as needed to establish the commission and conduct its work.

Key Provisions

  • Scope and purpose

    • Establishes a special commission to study the EBT system’s integrity, focusing on oversight, administration, and compliance with federal and state laws.
    • Recommended policy reforms to strengthen program integrity and reduce fraud.

  • Areas of study
    1) Eligibility verification improvements (e.g., cross-referencing Social Security data, death records, incarceration status).
    2) Feasibility of enabling photo identification on EBT cards.
    3) Administrative practices for distributing/managing EBT cards to prevent misuse.
    4) Data-sharing best practices between state and federal agencies.
    5) Potential creation of an EBT audit system for heightened accountability.

  • Outputs

    • The commission must submit findings and legislative/regulatory recommendations to the Governor, the Clerks of the House and Senate, the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, and Ways and Means within 12 months of passage.

Commission Composition

  • Chair: Secretary of Health and Human Services or designee.

  • Members (designees or appointees), including:

    • Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) or designee
    • State Auditor or designee
    • Attorney General or designee
    • Treasurer and Receiver General or designee
    • House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities (or designees)
    • One member each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate
    • Representatives from: Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association; House and Senate Minority Leaders (designees); Massachusetts Municipal Association
    • Two public members with expertise in public welfare programs, fraud prevention, or data security (appointed by the Governor)

  • Public engagement

    • Not fewer than four public hearings to solicit input from stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the public across different regions.

Timeline and Reporting

  • Deadline: The commission must deliver its findings and recommendations no later than 12 months after passage.
  • Reporting recipients: Governor, Clerk of the House, Clerk of the Senate, Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means.

Status and Legislative Actions

  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Filed: January 15, 2025
  • Referred to: Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (March 10, 2025)
  • House concurred (same day as action listed)

Potential Impact

  • Aims to enhance integrity and reduce fraud in Massachusetts’ public assistance programs, particularly the EBT system.
  • Could lead to policy changes such as stricter eligibility verification, possible EBT card redesign (e.g., photo IDs), and formalized data-sharing protocols.
  • Involves wide-ranging stakeholders and public input, with a structured 1-year timeline for delivering actionable recommendations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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