Section 21-A. Electronic benefit transfer system

Any electronic benefit
  transfer system shall be implemented by the department  on  a  statewide
  basis  and  shall  be  administered  pursuant  to the provisions of this
  section.
    1. Any contract entered  into  on  behalf  of  local  social  services
  districts  for  electronic  benefit  transfer services shall ensure that
  there are a sufficient number of access  points  in  each  local  social
  services  district  to ensure an adequate distribution of such services.
  Upon implementation of an electronic benefit transfer system in a  local
  social  services  district  or  in  any  political  or  other geographic
  subdivision of such  district,  the  department  shall  publish  a  list
  identifying  the  number  and  location  of  access  points  within such
  district or subdivision, and shall seek and accept public comment on the
  adequacy of recipient access to  electronic  benefit  transfer  services
  within  such  district  or  subdivision.  The  department  shall seek to
  maximize recipient access to electronic  benefit  transfer  services  by
  working  with the contractor to establish access points at a broad range
  of businesses and community facilities including, but  not  limited  to,
  community  centers,  senior  citizen centers, educational and job skills
  training sites, and local housing authorities.
    2. The department  or  the  designated  agent  thereof  shall  utilize
  appropriate  materials  and  training  to  provide  each  recipient with
  adequate instruction on the  use  of  the  electronic  benefit  transfer
  system, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
    (a)  the  types  of  transactions and services provided by means of an
  electronic benefit transfer system, and any limitations thereon;
    (b)  the  rights,  responsibilities  and  liabilities  applicable   to
  recipients  that  receive  benefits  by  means  of an electronic benefit
  transfer system;
    (c) the procedure for reporting the loss or theft of a  system  access
  device, or any unauthorized transaction;
    (d)  the process for the replacement of a lost or stolen system access
  device, and the procedure to access benefits, if needed, until such time
  as such device can be replaced; and
    (e) the procedure by which participants can access  information  about
  their  benefit  account  or  accounts  including,  but not limited to, a
  toll-free telephone number which would provide recipients  with  account
  balances and transaction history.