SB1777 Summary

• Requires applicants for medical assistance and SNAP benefits to pass initial drug screening; recipients must pass random drug screenings for continued eligibility, with exceptions for dependents under 18, people with children in assistance unit, disabled persons, seniors 65+, and nursing home/ID/DD facility residents.

• Mandates Department of Human Services adopt rules requiring TANF and SNAP applicants to actively seek work consistent with unemployment insurance requirements, and allow gradual benefit reduction as earnings increase.

• Prohibits TANF recipients from using cash assistance benefits to purchase lottery tickets or patronize casinos and video gaming establishments.

• Requires photo identification matching the EBT/LINK card holder's name and appearance to use cards for SNAP benefits or cash; new cards must display names of all household members entitled to use the card.

• Increases criminal penalties for unauthorized possession and use of another person's EBT/LINK card or cash assistance benefits, upgrading violations from misdemeanors to felonies with Class 3 penalty for EBT card fraud.