REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE CARDS H.B. 4724 (H-2):
FLOOR SUMMARY
House Bill 4724 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Bob Genetski
House Committee: Families, Children, and Seniors
Senate Committee: Families, Seniors and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Social Welfare Act to specify that a recipient of services under the Act could not be charged for the replacement cost of an electronic benefits transfer card the first time the card was replaced. A recipient would be responsible, however, for payment of the actual replacement cost and administrative cost of the card for each subsequent time it was replaced. The required payment would have to be deducted from the recipient's benefits.
Proposed MCL 400.14l Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would not have a fiscal impact on either the State or local units of government, as it would codify existing policy as described in Section 401E of the DHS Policy and Procedures Manual. Clients may receive only one free Bridge card replacement during their lifetime.
The State is likely to realize an undetermined level of savings due to the policy. Each year, approximately 575,000 Bridge cards must be replaced. Under the policy, an unknown portion of recipients must pay the costs to replace the cards if they have already received their one free replacement. The cost to replace cards is $3.02 through the Electronic Benefits Transfer vendor and is $3.72 through a local DHS office.
Date Completed: 6-6-12 Fiscal Analyst: Frances Carley
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.