SB 887 Summary

• Amends 56 O.S. 2011, Section 243 to add new prohibitions on acquiring, possessing, using, or transferring food stamp benefits or debit cards that have been issued to another person, except as authorized by law and Department of Human Services rules.

• Prohibits transfer of food stamps or debit cards to any person not authorized by law to acquire, possess, or use the transferred benefits.

• Clarifies that misdemeanor violations involve aggregate amounts of $500 or less with penalties of up to $500 fine or three (3) months in county jail, while felony violations involve amounts exceeding $500 with penalties up to $5,000 fine or two (2) years in State Penitentiary.

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

• Effective date: November 1, 2013.