HB85 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Food stamps and welfare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), persons with felony drug conviction, federal law provisions making ineligible, provision for persons to be eligible under certain conditions

Summary

HB85 would allow Alabama residents with drug-related felony convictions to qualify for TANF and SNAP after completing their sentence or while on probation and treatment, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes Alabama law to allow eligibility for federal TANF and SNAP benefits for people convicted of drug-related felonies after they complete their sentence or while they are satisfactorily serving probation, including during or after mandatory drug or alcohol treatment. Eligibility remains subject to meeting all other program requirements. The act references federal law and becomes effective three months after passage and gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals convicted of drug-related felonies in Alabama would become eligible for TANF and SNAP after completing their sentence or while on probation/treatment if they meet other eligibility rules.
• Alabama households and families eligible for TANF/SNAP could gain access to benefits through members who meet these new conditions, and state agencies administering the programs would implement the revised eligibility criteria.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: A drug-related felony offender who is otherwise ineligible for TANF or SNAP becomes eligible upon completion of the sentence or if satisfactorily serving probation, including during or after mandatory drug/alcohol treatment, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
• Section 2: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law by other means).

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