HB539 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Pebblin W. Warren Representative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Ralph HowardChris EnglandYvonne KennedyJames E. BuskeyRandy DavisElaine BeechTerri Collins

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Food stamps and welfare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), persons convicted of drug related felony eligible for assistance if serving period of probation and completing or completed substance abuse program

Description

Under existing federal law in 21 U.S.C. § 862a, a person convicted under federal or state law of any offense classified as a felony which has as an element the possession, use, or sale of a controlled substance is not eligible for benefits under the federal temporary assistance for needy families or under the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program. The federal law provides that a state, by specific reference in a law, may exempt any or all individuals domiciled in the state from the federal law or limit the time period which the federal law applies to any or all individuals domiciled in the state.

This bill would provide that any person convicted of a drug related felony would be eligible for assistance under the federal temporary assistance for needy families program and the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program upon the completion of his or her sentence or if the person is satisfactorily serving a sentence of a period of probation and if the person is in the process of completing or has completed participation in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

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Subjects

Criminal Law and Procedure