TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously voted to strengthen the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The House passed HB 671, sponsored by Representative Mike LaRosa, which provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, including the state photo identification database.

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “DEO is working every day to stop criminals from fraudulently stealing Reemployment Assistance benefits from Florida job seekers who need help getting back to work. This legislation will help our dedicated fraud-prevention team identify and halt fraud more quickly. I appreciate Rep. LaRosa’s leadership on this important issue and the Florida House for recognizing DEO’s successful efforts to protect Reemployment Assistance.”

The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.

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