What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of electronic benefit transfer cards to withdraw cash from ATMs or point of sale terminals at locations like gambling establishments, psychics, bail bonds, cruise ships, tattoo parlors, and similar businesses.
Why it matters
Targets specific types of businesses. By listing locations such as gambling establishments, psychics, bail bond offices, cruise ships, tattoo parlors, and others, the bill aims to prevent state assistance funds from being used at venues perceived as inconsistent with public welfare goals.
Expands agency discretion. The bill allows the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to further define and restrict businesses where EBT cash access is considered “inconsistent” with the intent of assistance, potentially enabling broader future restrictions without additional legislation.
Aims to address public concerns about misuse. The restrictions respond to perceptions (and sometimes criticisms) that cash benefits may be used for non-essential or potentially harmful activities, reflecting ongoing debates about the scope and use of public assistance.
May impact how and where recipients access their benefits. By limiting withdrawal options at certain locations, recipients may face increased challenges in accessing cash, especially in areas where other ATM or point-of-sale options are limited, which could have practical effects on low-income individuals’ daily lives.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Limit EBT Cash Withdrawals
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in banks
- Referred to banks
- Referred to banks
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2378
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 18, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MONTESANO, RAIA, CROUCH, GOODELL, HAWLEY, McLAUGHLIN, FINCH, LALOR -- read once and referred to the Committee on Banks
AN ACT to amend the social services law and the banking law, in relation to prohibiting automated teller machines or point of sale terminals in certain locations from accepting electronic benefit transfer cards for cash withdrawals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 144-b to read as follows:
§ 144-b. Prohibition of the use of electronic benefit transfer cards in certain locations. The office of temporary and disability assistance shall insure that electronic benefit transfer cards issued by and through the agency to facilitate the delivery of assistance may not be used to access state-provided cash benefits from any automated teller machines or point of sale terminals in the following locations: (a) gambling establishments; (b) psychics; (c) bail bond establishments; (d) bingo halls; (e) cruise ships; (f) tattoo parlors; or (g) any business providing services that have been deemed inconsistent with the intent of the office of temporary and disability assistance.
§ 2. The banking law is amended by adding a new section 9-x to read as follows:
§ 9-x. Prohibition of the use of electronic benefit transfer cards at automated teller machines in certain locations. Electronic benefit transfer cards issued by the state to facilitate the delivery of assistance may not be used to access state-provided cash benefits from any automated teller machines or point of sale terminals in the following locations: (a) gambling establishments; (b) psychics; (c) bail bond establishments; (d) bingo halls; (e) cruise ships; (f) tattoo parlors; or (g) any business providing services that have been deemed inconsistent with the intent of the office of temporary and disability assistance.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06066-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.