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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Amended on third reading 6291a
- Vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
- Returned to senate
- Recalled from assembly
- Recommitted to ways and means
- Substitution reconsidered
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.471
- Substituted for A1681
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 32–29
- Ordered to third reading cal.1264
Show 4 earlier actions
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to social services
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to finger imaging of certain persons receiving food stamps
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Keith L.T. Wright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6291A
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to finger imaging for food stamps recipients
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to eliminate the finger imaging matching identification system for applicants or recipients of food stamps who are not also applicants for, or recipients of, family or safety net assistance.
Summary of provisions
Amends subdivision 3 of section 139-a of the social services law, to rescind the finger imaging matching identifica- tion system for applicants or recipients of food stamps who are not also applicants for, or recipients of, family or safety net assistance.
Justification
Finger imaging is neither a state nor federal law. Under state law, PA recipients must be finger-imaged, but it is current- ly up to the Governor whether to require social service districts to do so for people who receive food stamps only. New York is one of the four remaining states in the country where finger imaging for food stamps still occurs. Finger imaging is required at the time of application for public assistance. In order for needy families to get food stamps all adult members or heads of households must have their finger images taken. If they don't comply then that leaves their entire household destitute and without any public assistance. In addition to that appli- cants must be finger imaged as well for emergency assistance.
In a study conducted by a non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization it was found that finger imaging was not cost effective, and doesn't do anything to substantially deter fraud. The study concluded that in Texas and California finger imaging produces serious drawbacks that included low numbers of fraud detection, high numbers of administrative errors, and an elongated and inefficient process that deters indigent people from applying. As a result USDA withheld its share for state funding for the states finger imaging program.
Finger imaging serves as a deterrent for eligible individuals to access food stamps, which are paid for by the federal government. It carries a stigma with it that is degrading to an applicant who might feel that their dignity is worth more than government assistance although they might be in dire need. Recently, the Governor waived the finger imaging requirement for certain working families. Food is a basic necessity of life. Finger imaging should not be required for any low income families and individuals to receive assistance with their food costs.
Legislative history
2007: A10215
Fiscal implications
No new fiscal implications.
Effective date
180 days following enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.