An Act to amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require food stamp State agencies to take certain actions to ensure that food stamp coupons are not issued for deceased individuals, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of options for the design, development, implementation, and operation of a national database to track participation in Federal means-tested public assistance programs, and for other purposes.
PL 105-379 (S.1733), enacted 11/12/1998

PUBLIC LAW 105-379—NOV. 12, 1998 
112 STAT. 3399 
Public Law 105-379 
105th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require food stamp State agencies to 
take certain actions to ensure that food stamp coupons are not issued for deceased 
individuals, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of options 
Nov. 12, 1998 
for the design, development, implementation, and operation of a national database 
fS 17331 
to track participation in Federal means-tested public assistance programs, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DENIAL OF FOOD STAMPS FOR DECEASED INDIVIDUALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 11 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
"(r) DENIAL OF FOOD STAMPS FOR DECEASED INDIVIDUALS.— 
Each State agency shall— 
"(1) enter into a cooperative sirrangement with the Commis-
sioner of Social Security, pursuant to the authority of the 
Commissioner under section 205(r)(3) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 405(r)(3)), to obtain information on individuals 
who are deceased; and 
"(2) use the information to verify and otherwise ensure 
that benefits are not issued to individuals who are deceased.". 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than September 1, 2000, the Secretary Deadline. 
of Agriculture shsdl submit a report regarding the progress £ind 7 USC 2020 note, 
effectiveness of the cooperative arrangements entered into by State 
agencies under section ll(r) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2020(r)) (as added by subsection (a)) to— 
(1) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 
(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate; 
(3) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
Representatives; 
(4) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and 
(5) the Secretary of the Treasury. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section £ind the amendments made 
7 use 2020 note. 
by this section take effect on Jiuie 1, 2000. 
SEC. 2. STUDY OF NATIONAL DATABASE FOR FEDERAL MEANS- 
7 USC 2011 note. 
TESTED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Secretary of Agricvilture shall conduct 
a study of options for the design, development, implementation, 
and operation of a national database to track participation in Fed-
eral means-tested public assistance programs. 
59-194 O - 98 - 21: QL 3 Part 5 
112 STAT. 3400 
PUBLIC LAW 105-379—NOV. 12, 1998 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—In conducting the study, the Secretary 
shall— 
(1) analyze available data to determine— 
(A) whether the data have addressed the needs of 
the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); 
(B) whether additional or unique data need to be devel-
oped to address the needs of the food stamp program; 
and 
(C) the feasibility and cost-benefit ratio of each avail-
able option for a national database; 
(2) survey the States to determine how the States are 
enforcing the prohibition on recipients receiving assistance in 
more than one State under Federal means-tested public assist-
ance programs; 
(3) determine the functional requirements of each available 
option for a national database; and 
(4) ensure that all options provide safeguards to protect 
against the unauthorized use or disclosure of information in 
the national database. 
Deadline. 
(c) REPORT.—^Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the results of the study conducted under this section. 
(d) FUNDING.—Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to the 
Secretary of Agriculture $500,000 to carry out this section. The 
Secretary shall be entitled to receive the funds and shall accept 
the funds, without further appropriation. 
Approved November 12, 1998. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1733: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 144 (1998): 
Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 15, considered and passed House.