Bill > SR29

This resolution urges the United States Congress to take action regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits theft, which is a significant issue costing Ohio millions of dollars annually. The resolution highlights that a common form of benefits theft is "skimming," where fraudulent devices are used to capture payment card information from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Currently, SNAP EBT cards lack security chips to prevent theft, and while Congress previously passed legislation allowing states to replace stolen benefits between October 2022 and December 2024, there is no current plan to extend this protection. The resolution specifically calls on Congress to resume restoring stolen SNAP benefits and implement enhanced anti-fraud measures, such as replacing existing EBT cards with more secure chip-enabled cards. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, over 315,000 households have already had more than $150 million in stolen benefits replaced, with Ohio alone recovering $12.6 million through federal funding. The resolution also instructs the Senate Clerk to distribute authenticated copies of this resolution to key congressional leaders, Ohio's congressional delegation, and Ohio news media to raise awareness and prompt action.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sr29