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393.07.10(c)(4)

Statute ID: 12516

Statute Function ID: 27525

Welfare - Federal Food Stamp Program - Use, Buy or Sells Food Stamp Coupons

In Effect

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Charge

Classifications

Offense Level:

Gross Misdemeanor (GM)

General Offense Code:

Property (2)

Offense Summary Code & Rank:

Counterfeiting/Fraud, etc (C) (Rank 23)

Detailed Offense Code:

Fraud - Federal Food Stamps (254)

Offense Severity Level:

Function Text:

UCR Code

Description

26D

Fraud Offenses-Welfare Fraud

Flags

Crime of Violence:

Targeted Misdemeanor:

Predatory Offender Registration Review:

Enhanceable:

Certify to DPS:

Report to DNR:

DPS Group:

Conditional Release:

Payable:

Petty Misdemeanor Only if Prosecutor Certifies:

Third Violation Indicator:

Qualified Domestic Violence Related:

Nonviolent Controlled Substance Offender Review:

Wildlife Restitution:

Statute Number:

393.07.10(c)(4)

Enactment Date:

Jun 5, 2003

Effective Date:

Aug 1, 2003

Expiration Date:

Repealed?:

Summary Text:

Welfare - Federal Food Stamp Program - Use, Buy or Sells Food Stamp Coupons

Statute ID:

12516

Created:

Nov 12, 2008 by mnjis.legal.analyst@state.mn.us

Updated:

Apr 26, 2011 by mnjis.legal.analyst@state.mn.us

Last Update Action:

Corrected

Legal Analyst Comment:

Replaces incorrect subd.10c(4)

Summary Text:

Welfare - Federal Food Stamp Program - Use, Buy or Sells Food Stamp Coupons

Link to MN Statute Text:

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/393/07.html

Legislative Session:

2003 - Regular

Session Law Text?:

Statute text last updated on:

Nov 12, 2008

(a) The local social services agency shall establish and administer the food stamp program according to rules of the commissioner of human services, the supervision of the commissioner as specified in section 256.01, and all federal laws and regulations. The commissioner of human services shall monitor food stamp program delivery on an ongoing basis to ensure that each county complies with federal laws and regulations. Program requirements to be monitored include, but are not limited to, number of applications, number of approvals, number of cases pending, length of time required to process each application and deliver benefits, number of applicants eligible for expedited issuance, length of time required to process and deliver expedited issuance, number of terminations and reasons for terminations, client profiles by age, household composition and income level and sources, and the use of phone certification and home visits. The commissioner shall determine the county-by-county and statewide participation rate. 
(b) On July 1 of each year, the commissioner of human services shall determine a statewide and county-by-county food stamp program participation rate. The commissioner may designate a different agency to administer the food stamp program in a county if the agency administering the program fails to increase the food stamp program participation rate among families or eligible individuals, or comply with all federal laws and regulations governing the food stamp program. The commissioner shall review agency performance annually to determine compliance with this paragraph.
(c) A person who commits any of the following acts has violated section 256.98 or 609.821, or both, and is subject to both the criminal and civil penalties provided under those sections: 
(1) obtains or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain by means of a willful statement or misrepresentation, or intentional concealment of a material fact, food stamps or vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 to which the person is not entitled or in an amount greater than that to which that person is entitled or which specify nutritional supplements to which that person is not entitled; or 
(2) presents or causes to be presented, coupons or vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 for payment or redemption knowing them to have been received, transferred or used in a manner contrary to existing state or federal law; or 
(3) willfully uses, possesses, or transfers food stamp coupons, authorization to purchase cards or vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 in any manner contrary to existing state or federal law, rules, or regulations; or 
(4) buys or sells food stamp coupons, authorization to purchase cards, other assistance transaction devices, vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897, or any food obtained through the redemption of vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 for cash or consideration other than eligible food. 
(d) A peace officer or welfare fraud investigator may confiscate food stamps, authorization to purchase cards, or other assistance transaction devices found in the possession of any person who is neither a recipient of the food stamp program nor otherwise authorized to possess and use such materials. Confiscated property shall be disposed of as the commissioner may direct and consistent with state and federal food stamp law. The confiscated property must be retained for a period of not less than 30 days to allow any affected person to appeal the confiscation under section 256.045. 
(e) Food stamp overpayment claims which are due in whole or in part to client error shall be established by the county agency for a period of six years from the date of any resultant overpayment.
(f) With regard to the federal tax revenue offset program only, recovery incentives authorized by the federal food and consumer service shall be retained at the rate of 50 percent by the state agency and 50 percent by the certifying county agency.
(g) A peace officer, welfare fraud investigator, federal law enforcement official, or the commissioner of health may confiscate vouchers found in the possession of any person who is neither issued vouchers under sections 145.891 to 145.897, nor otherwise authorized to possess and use such vouchers. Confiscated property shall be disposed of as the commissioner of health may direct and consistent with state and federal law. The confiscated property must be retained for a period of not less than 30 days. 
(h) The commissioner of human services may seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the state to specify foods that may and may not be purchased in Minnesota with benefits funded by the federal Food Stamp Program. The commissioner shall consult with the members of the house of representatives and senate policy committees having jurisdiction over food support issues in developing the waiver. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of health and education, shall develop a broad public health policy related to improved nutrition and health status. The commissioner must seek legislative approval prior to implementing the waiver.