Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
(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 arrangement 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 of Agriculture shall submit a report regarding the progress and effectiveness of the cooperative arrangements entered into by State agencies under section 11(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 by this section take effect on June 1, 2000.
FEDERAL MEANS-TESTED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture 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.
(b) Administration.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall-- (1) analyze available data to determine-- (A) whether the data have addressed the needs of the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); (B) whether additional or unique data need to be developed to address the needs of the food stamp program; and (C) the feasibility and cost-benefit ratio of each available option for a national database; (2) survey the States to determine how the States are enforcing the prohibition on recipients receiving assistance in more than one State under Federal means-tested public assistance programs; (3) determine the functional requirements of each available option for a national database; and (4) ensure that all options provide safeguards to protect against the unauthorized use or disclosure of information in the national database.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under this section.
(d) Funding.--Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to the Secretary of Agriculture $500,000 to carry out this section. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the funds and shall accept the funds, without further appropriation.
Approved November 12, 1998.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1733: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 144 (1998): Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate. Oct. 15, considered and passed House.
<all>