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Bill Would Restrict Where EBT Cards Can Be Used

lharkness
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Legislation is moving through the Missouri Senate that would strictly limit where Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT cards, can be used in the state.

GOP Senator Will Kraus of Lee’s Summit is sponsoring the bill. He says a new federal law that just took effect will ban EBT card use in casinos, liquor stores and adult entertainment venues.

“We’re taking that federal law (and) putting into state statute, but we’re also adding a few places:  amusement parks, entertainment events, athletic events, to purchase alcohol, tobacco (and) lottery tickets,” Summit said.

The bill is the result of an agreement between Kraus and Democrat Maria Chappelle-Nadal of St. Louis County.

“These funds are supposed to be used for families that are in need, and specifically for children who are in need, and when I heard that there were people using these cards in casinos and at strip clubs and out of town on possible vacations, I was dismayed,” Chappelle-Nadal said.

She had blocked a bill last year that Kraus sponsored that would have placed the photos of the people EBT cards are issued to onto the cards.    The compromise bill was heard Monday by a Missouri Senate committee and will be voted on later.

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