HB274 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tommy Hanes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Public assistance, Human Resources Dept., electronic benefits transfer card, photograph of recipient required

Summary

HB274 would require the Department of Human Resources to put a recipient’s photo on every EBT card, along with their name and fraud-reporting information.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the department must include on each EBT card the recipient’s name and photograph (or the guardian’s photo for minors), plus a fraud hotline number and a fraud-reporting website. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency would provide photos to DHR upon request to meet this requirement, and DHR may enter memoranda of understanding with ALEA; some individuals would be exempt from the photo requirement, and DHR may adopt implementing rules. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Recipients of public assistance and their authorized designees (including minors represented by a parent or guardian) would have their photo and name printed on their EBT cards, along with fraud-reporting information.
• Exempt groups (65+, blind or mentally/physically disabled, victims of domestic violence, and the homeless) would not be subjected to the photo requirement.

Key Provisions

• Each electronic benefits transfer card must display the recipient’s name and photograph (or the guardian’s photograph for minors), plus the text 'Fraud Hotline' with the department’s toll-free number and the department’s fraud-reporting website.
• The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall provide the department with required photographs upon request to comply with the card requirements; the department may adopt implementing rules and may enter MOUs with ALEA; the act contains exemptions for certain individuals and specifies an effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Assistance