2-9-10 | Bill that would prevent, prosecute welfare fraud advances| Salt Lake Tribune

Bill that would prevent, prosecute welfare fraud advances

by María Villaseñor | Salt Lake Tribune | Updated: 02/09/2010 06:52:20 PM MST

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, wants to make preventing and prosecuting welfare fraud easier.

"I think we all want to make sure that when taxpayers provide public assistance, that it is provided to those who actually qualify," Stephenson told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday.

SB127 would require an applicant to disclose earned and unearned income, as well as provide the Department of Workforce Services with any additional information needed to determine his or her eligibility. That would include criteria like residences, which aren't referenced in the current law, said Janise Macanas, the sole prosecutor of public assistance fraud at the Utah Attorney General's Office, which recommended the legislation.

Macanas said she's dealt with cases in which a person living in and receiving public assistance from Arizona has applied for welfare in Utah.

SB127 is "going to allow me to better prosecute these cases," she said, noting she only prosecutes half time and selects cases involving a minimum of $5,000. Last year she handled about 50 cases, resulting in judges ordering defendants pay back more than $215,000.

Stephenson added that he hoped it would help prevent fraud, as well.

The committee unanimously approved SB127 and sent it to the Senate floor.

mariav@sltrib.com

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