HARRISBURG, PA — Legislation to help combat welfare fraud and abuse has been passed by the Pennsylvania legislature and signed into law by the governor, according to Sen. Joe Scarnati.

Scarnati explained that House Bill 993 received final passage by the House of Representatives last week and that they concurred with an amendment that was inserted into the bill by the Senate. The bill was then signed into law on September 24.

Originally, HB 993 was introduced only to change the name of the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Human Services (DHS). Scarnati then introduced an amendment to expand the bill to also establish a toll-free telephone number and email address for individuals to report suspected fraud and abuse of public assistance programs.

“Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve to know that their tax dollars are being invested wisely and that state funds for public assistance programs are being given to those who truly have a need,” Scarnati said. “Recent findings of welfare fraud make it clear that we needed to have a way to help prevent abuse and be sure that our state’s limited resources are being used in a responsible manner.”