HB539 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative

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

Summary

HB539 would let some Alabama residents with drug-related felonies qualify for federal TANF and SNAP benefits if they complete treatment and meet court requirements, rather than being ineligible by default.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates an Alabama-based exception to the federal ban on TANF and SNAP for people with drug-related felonies if they finish their sentence or are on probation and participate in an approved treatment program. For convictions before June 30, 2012, eligibility depends on being in or completing treatment and complying with court obligations, with a Class A felony drug violation excluded from the exemption. For convictions on or after July 1, 2012, eligibility requires completing treatment within three attempts; failure to do so leads to a three-year ineligibility, and a second drug felony also carries a three-year ineligibility period.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Alabama residents with drug-related felony convictions who are or will be in an approved treatment program and on probation, who meet all required conditions, and who seek TANF or SNAP benefits.
• Group 2: Individuals who would not receive the exemption, including those with a Class A drug felony (not eligible), those with a second drug felony (three-year ineligibility), and those who do not complete prescribed treatment within three attempts (three-year ineligibility).

Key Provisions

• Allows an exemption from the federal bar on TANF/SNAP eligibility for drug-related felony convictions if the person completes their sentence or is satisfactorily serving probation and participates in an approved treatment program, under the state option per 21 U.S.C. 862a(d).
• For convictions on or before June 30, 2012, exemption requires participation in or completion of an approved substance abuse treatment program and compliance with court obligations, with a Class A felony drug violation excluded from the exemption.
• For convictions on or after July 1, 2012, exemption requires meeting treatment and court-obligation requirements and completing treatment within three attempts; failure to do so results in three-year ineligibility.
• If a person has a second drug felony, they are not eligible for TANF/SNAP exemptions for a period of three years from the date of conviction; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Law and Procedure