AR HB1903

Creates the "Enhanced Eligibility and Authentication Act" requiring the Department of Human Services to verify applicant eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP before awarding assistance, including verification of income, employment, immigration status, residency, incarceration status, death records, and identity fraud.

Requires real-time eligibility monitoring at least quarterly for enrolled individuals, with the department reviewing information indicating discrepancies or changes in circumstances that may affect eligibility, and establishes procedures for notifying individuals and allowing them 10 business days to respond.

Mandates an identity authentication process using knowledge-based quizzes with financial or personal questions before awarding assistance, available through online, in-person, and telephone channels, designed to accommodate unbanked or underbanked applicants.

Authorizes the department to contract with independent vendors to provide eligibility verification information if annualized savings exceed the contract's total annual cost, and requires signing memoranda of understanding with state agencies and exploring multistate cooperatives like the National Accuracy Clearinghouse.

Requires the Department of Human Services to report fraud cases to the Office of Medicaid Inspector General and Attorney General, and to publish annual reports within six months detailing cases reviewed, cases closed, fraud referrals, and savings achieved.