Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 5.djvu/641

 PUBLIC LAW 105-379—NOV. 12, 1998 112 STAT. 3399 Public Law 105-379 105th Congress An Act To amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require food stamp State agencies to take certain actions to ensure that food stamp coupons are not issued for deceased individuals, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of options Nov. 12, 1998 for the design, development, implementation, and operation of a national database fS 17331 to track participation in Federal means-tested public assistance programs, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DENIAL OF FOOD STAMPS FOR DECEASED INDIVIDUALS. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 11 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(r) DENIAL OF FOOD STAMPS FOR DECEASED INDIVIDUALS. — Each State agency shall— "(1) enter into a cooperative sirrangement with the Commissioner of Social Security, pursuant to the authority of the Commissioner under section 205(r)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(r)(3)), to obtain information on individuals who are deceased; and "(2) use the information to verify and otherwise ensure that benefits are not issued to individuals who are deceased.". (b) REPORT.— Not later than September 1, 2000, the Secretary Deadline. of Agriculture shall submit a report regarding the progress and 7 USC 2020 note, effectiveness of the cooperative arrangements entered into by State agencies under section ll(r) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2020(r)) (as added by subsection (a)) to— (1) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; (2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (3) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; (4) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and (5) the Secretary of the Treasury. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE. —This section and the amendments made 7 USC 2020 note. by this section take effect on Jiuie 1, 2000. SEC. 2. STUDY OF NATIONAL DATABASE FOR FEDERAL MEANS- 7 USC 2011 note. TESTED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agricvilture shall conduct a study of options for the design, development, implementation, and operation of a national database to track participation in Federal means-tested public assistance programs. 59-194O- 98 -21:QL3Part5

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