WEST virginia Legislature

2017 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2175

By Delegates Rodighiero and Hicks

[Introduced February 8, 2017; Referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-25, relating to requiring recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program be issued a photo identification card; establishing criminal penalties for misuse; and granting rule-making authority.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-25, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§9-5-25.  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program photo identification card; penalties; rule-making.

(a) All Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients shall be issued an identification card with his or her photograph on it that must be used at all times when making purchases covered or permitted by the program. Anyone using or attempting to use a SNAP card that has not been issued to him or her is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be confined in a state correctional facility for not more than fifteen days, fined not more than $500, or both confined and fined.

(b) Anyone who knowingly permits another person to improperly use his or her SNAP card is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be confined in a state correctional facility for not more than fifteen days, fined not more than $500, or both confined and fined.

(c) The secretary shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

NOTE:  The purpose of this bill is to require recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program be issued a photo identification card that must be used when making program purchases. The bill establishes penalties for misuse.  The bill also grants rule-making authority.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.