AN ACT REQUIRING AUDITS FOR POTENTIAL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FRAUD.

SB 168 requires the Department of Social Services to conduct annual audits targeting potential fraud and repeated out-of-state use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards for public assistance programs. This bill directly affects individuals receiving public assistance benefits through EBT cards by adding mandatory oversight to detect misuse. The key mechanism is the annual audit requirement focused specifically on fraud patterns and cross-state card usage. The bill aims to strengthen program integrity without changing benefit eligibility or amounts. (4 sentences)