Bill > SB362

This bill amends the Human Services Code to strengthen penalties and expand the scope of offenses related to fraud in public assistance programs, specifically targeting the misuse of access device information, which refers to details like credit card numbers or other payment credentials. It introduces new offenses for individuals who knowingly and with intent to defraud use scanning devices to steal access device information, or use reencoders to copy this information onto other devices, or use compromised access devices or information. A first offense of this nature would be a felony of the third degree, with subsequent offenses escalating to a felony of the second degree, and the bill clarifies that prior similar offenses in any state or at the federal level will count towards determining the severity of the current offense. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for these crimes from four to five years and mandates restitution for any money gained through fraudulent means. Furthermore, recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), formerly known as aid to families with dependent children or general assistance, convicted of these offenses will face temporary or permanent ineligibility for cash assistance, with disqualification periods increasing with subsequent convictions. The bill defines "reencoder" as a device that transfers access device information to another medium and "scanning device" as any electronic tool used to capture or store such information.