The state’s welfare office would be required to study the feasibility of implementing a “biometric authentication system” under an omnibus budget amendment passed by the House Tuesday.
Under the provision, the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Office of Health and Human Services would be required to study the feasibility of using biometrics – which includes fingerprints – to reduce fraud in public benefit programs.
The language, part of a $15.4 million amendment assembled by the House Committee on Ways and Means, cleared the House on a 158-0 vote Tuesday afternoon.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a North Reading Republican, proposed budgetary language on the biometrics study, which was wrapped into a so-called consolidated amendment. According to Jones’ office, fingerprinting has saved state and county governments millions around the country and Texas and New Jersey have contracts for biometric pilot programs.
The notion of fingerprinting welfare recipients is sure to rankle some advocates who previously objected to photo ID on electronic benefit cards.
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