Civil penalty for theft of SNAP benefits

Section 15 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2024) is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Civil penalty for theft of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits (1) Any person who knowingly accesses, uses, or transfers supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits issued to a household without authorization shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty in an amount equal to twice the value of such benefits lost as a result of such conduct. (2) The Secretary may assess and enforce this penalty through an administrative proceeding under section 14 or through a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States. (3) Funds recovered under this subsection shall be used, as determined by the Secretary to offset— (A) the cost of reimbursing households for such benefits lost as a result of the conduct described in paragraph (1); and (B) the cost of the use of the enhanced investigatory authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture. (4) A civil penalty imposed under this subsection shall be in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty imposed under any other provision of this Act or under any other provision of law..