House Bill 1473

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE WELFARE FRAUD PREVENTION ACT OF 2020; TO ESTABLISH THE PUBLIC WELFARE OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE AND PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL TRACK AND ASSESS THE ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION SYSTEMS ESTABLISHED BY THE "MEDICAID AND HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPARENCY AND FRAUD PREVENTION ACT," AND ADVISE THE LEGISLATURE ON HOW BEST TO PREVENT FRAUD AND ABUSE BY PROVIDERS, VENDORS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF SERVICES IN PUBLIC WELFARE PROGRAMS, RECOVER IMPROPER PAYMENTS MADE TO PROVIDERS AND VENDORS OF SERVICES IN THOSE PROGRAMS, AND ENHANCE THE INTEGRITY AND EFFICACY OF THE STATE'S PUBLIC WELFARE PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL DENY TANF BENEFITS TO FAMILIES THAT INCLUDE AN ADULT WHO HAS RECEIVED TANF ASSISTANCE FOR TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS, DISREGARDING ANY MONTHS DURING WHICH ASSISTANCE IS RECEIVED BY AN ADULT RECIPIENT WHO AS A MINOR CHILD WAS NOT A HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD OR BY A FOSTER PARENT, AN UNRELATED ADULT, OR A NONPARENT RELATIVE IN A CHILD-ONLY CASE; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 43-12-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ASSIGN CERTAIN RECIPIENTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS TO AN EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM AS A CONDITION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 43-33-801, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO SEEK A FEDERAL WAIVER TO CONDUCT A SCREENING OF EACH APPLICANT FOR AND RECIPIENT OF HOUSING BENEFITS ADMINISTERED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE IF THE APPLICANT OR RECIPIENT IS UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED AND ABLE-BODIED, AND TO CREATE AN EMPLOYABILITY PLAN FOR RECIPIENTS WHO ARE ABLE-BODIED AND EITHER UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED AND REQUIRE PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN AS A TERM OF THEIR HOUSING BENEFITS; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 43-33-803, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES IN THE STATE TO DISTRIBUTE HOUSING BENEFITS AND SELECT APPLICANTS FROM BENEFIT WAITING LISTS GIVING THE HIGHEST PREFERENCE TO FAMILIES WHERE ALL ABLE-BODIED ADULTS IN THE HOUSEHOLD ARE EMPLOYED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Dana Criswell

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 17 – Mar 3

1. Feb 17Referred to the House committee on Public Health and Human Services
2. Mar 3Died in committee in the House