Hassan signs welfare restrictions

On Monday, July 20 Gov. Hassan signed HB 219, a bill that forbids the use of EBT cards at tattoo parlors, smoke shops, and marijuana dispensaries.

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are used to disburse cash welfare benefits.

"By adding specific facilities to the list of establishments where the use of EBT cards is prevented and requiring an educational component for cash assistance recipients and retail establishments, House Bill 219 strengthens our efforts to protect against public assistance fraud or abuse," said Gov. Hassan.

Earlier in July Gov. Hassan vetoed SB 169, a bill that would have forbid the use of EBT cards - or cash from EBT cards - for specific items, rather than at specific locations.  SB 169 banned the purchase of tobacco products, alcohol, lottery tickets, firearms, and adult entertainment.

"Senate Bill 169 establishes an unenforceable precedent that could put our cashiers and retail clerks in the untenable position of determining the source of a customer’s cash in an attempt to police potential abuse," said Gov. Hassan.

On the other hand, supporters of SB 169 argued that while New Hampshire may need to further examine enforcement options, these purchases should still be banned on principle.

"When we spend taxpayer money to help those on public assistance, we have a responsibility to protect both the taxpayers and those receiving this critical assistance," said Sen. Jeannie Forrester (R), the primary sponsor of SB 169.