§ 43-12-45. Limits on spending locations

MS Code § 43-12-45 (2019) (N/A)
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(1) Funds available on electronic benefit transfer cards shall not be used to purchase alcohol, liquor or imitation liquor, cigarettes, tobacco products, bail, gambling activities, lottery tickets, tattoos, travel services provided by a travel agent, money transmission to locations abroad, sexually oriented adult materials, concert tickets, professional or collegiate sporting event tickets, or tickets for other entertainment events intended for the general public.

(2) Electronic benefit transfer card transactions shall be prohibited at all retail liquor stores, casinos, gaming establishments, jewelry stores, tattoo parlors, massage parlors, body piercing parlors, spas, nail salons, lingerie shops, tobacco paraphernalia stores, vapor cigarette stores, psychic or fortune telling businesses, bail bond companies, video arcades, movie theaters, cruise ships, theme parks, dog or horse racing facilities, pari-mutuel facilities, sexually oriented businesses, retail establishments that provide adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment, and businesses or retail establishments where minors under eighteen (18) years of age are not permitted.

(3) Upon enrollment, the Department of Human Services shall provide new applicants an itemized list of prohibited purchases, including those specified in subsection (1) of this section, and make such a list available on the department’s website.

(4) The department shall prohibit establishments identified under subsection (2) of this section from operating ATMs that accept electronic benefit transfer cards. Businesses found in violation of this subsection shall be subject to appropriate licensing sanctions.

(5) If a recipient is found to have violated subsection (1) of this section, the department shall issue a warning in writing to the recipient. The recipient shall be subject to disqualification of benefits for up to three (3) months following the first offense and a permanent termination of benefits following the second offense, unless expressly prohibited by federal law.