FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5652

                         PARTIAL VETO

                          C 379 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Temporarily prohibiting public assistance payments for willful violators of public assistance eligibility provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Gaspard, McDonald, Smith, Quigley, Wojahn, Hargrove, Heavey, Winsley, Sheldon, Fraser, Loveland, Fairley, Oke, McAuliffe, Spanel, Kohl, Franklin, Drew, Haugen, Owen, Bauer, Snyder, Deccio and Rasmussen.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Background:  Recent investigation and prosecution of a major welfare fraud case in Washington State raises the issue of equity in the distribution of limited public assistance resources.  Concerns exist regarding appropriate treatment of those who have committed fraud.  Current law states that persons imprisoned for committing any crime shall not receive assistance during the period of imprisonment.

Summary:  Public assistance is suspended by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) if an applicant or recipient is convicted for  intentionally providing false or misleading information, or commits an act designed to fraudulently obtain benefits.

The period of suspension is six months for a first conviction, and no less than 12 months for a subsequent violation.  The suspension applies regardless of whether the recipient is confined upon conviction, or incurs some lesser penalty.

By September 30, 1995, DSHS implements the SAVE ("systematic alien verification for entitlements") program, a federal computer program to verify aliens' applications for entitlements, and takes other measures to prevent fraud by aliens.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 0

House     90 4 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

House     94 0 (House amended)

Senate    44 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 23, 1995

Partial Veto Summary:  The SAVE ("systematic alien verification for entitlements") program is not implemented.