SB 887 Summary

• Amends 56 O.S. 2011, Section 243 to add a new prohibition against transferring food stamps, coupons, benefit cards, or debit cards to persons not authorized to receive them under state and federal rules.

• Establishes misdemeanor penalties (up to $500 fine and/or 3 months in county jail) for violations involving $500 or less in food stamp value, and felony penalties (up to $5,000 fine and/or 2 years in State Penitentiary) for violations exceeding $500.

• Requires district attorneys to present disqualification consent agreements to defendants charged with food stamp fraud violations when entering into deferred adjudication or negotiating deferred sentences.

• Clarifies that trafficking in food stamps includes illegal transfer, sale, barter, or trade of benefits, with separate penalties for transactions under $100 (misdemeanor) versus over $100 (felony).

• Becomes effective November 1, 2013; also corrects imprisonment location from State Penitentiary to county jail for misdemeanor convictions.