Bill Text: VA SB1129 | 2019 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Food stamps and TANF; eligibility, drug-related felonies.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-02-19 - Left in Courts of Justice [SB1129 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SB1129-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §63.2-505.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1 as follows:
§63.2-505.2. Eligibility for food stamps; drug-related felonies.
A person who is otherwise eligible to receive food stamp
benefits shall be exempt from the application of section § 115(a)
of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and shall not be denied such assistance
solely because he has been convicted of a drug-related felony offense
of possession of a controlled substance in violation of §18.2-250,
provided that such person is complying with, or has already complied
with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court, is actively engaged in or
has completed a substance abuse treatment program, participates in periodic
drug screenings, and meets any other obligations as determined by the
Department.
§63.2-607.1. Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies.
A person who is otherwise eligible to receive TANF assistance shall be exempt from the application of §115(a)(1) of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and shall not be denied such assistance solely because he has been convicted of a drug-related felony, provided that such person is complying with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court, is actively engaged in or has completed a substance abuse treatment program, participates in periodic drug screenings, and meets any other obligations as determined by the Department.
[ 2. That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation effectuating the purposes of this act is included in a general appropriation act passed in 2019 by the General Assembly that becomes law. ]