Ala. Code § 41-1-12: State Agencies Required to Take Certain Measures to Prevent Fraud Before Paying Benefits to Recipients.

(a) For purposes of this section, “benefit” means a payment of public funds based on the recipient’s ability to meet certain qualifications or criteria. The term does not include a tax credit, tax rebate, or tax refund, nor does it include any grant that requires highly specialized expertise or qualifications whereby a limited number of persons would qualify.

(b) Before any state agency, department, board, or commission may begin to process or pay benefits to recipients pursuant to a new program or newly instituted benefit, the agency, department, board, or commission shall consult with the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to determine if there is a system or service in place which could aid the agency, department, board, or commission in detecting, defraying, or preventing fraudulent payments. If such a system or service exists, the agency, department, board, or commission shall determine whether such a system or service can be integrated with, modify, or replace its current systems or programs and shall use the system or service to the full extent practicable. This shall be a management decision of the agency, department, board, or commission.

(c) This section does not apply to group health benefits administered by a state agency, department, board, or commission.