The Senate Commerce and Tourism committee today unanimously approved SB 372, which strengthens the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The legislation provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, which includes the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “This critical bill will help DEO stop criminals from stealing Reemployment Assistance from individuals who need it most. Access to driver’s license photos will allow DEO staff to quickly identify false IDs presented by criminals and prevent them from stealing Reemployment Assistance from Floridians who need it most.
“We appreciate Chairman Montford’s leadership today and the commitment of the bill sponsors, Representative La Rosa and Senator Stargel, for their support of this important legislation that protects taxpayer dollars.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.
