HB274 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes Long

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mack N. ButlerDavid SessionsBarry MooreWilliam RobertsRichard BaughnKen JohnsonMac ButtramDan WilliamsEd HenryJay LoveDonnie Chesteen

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Public assistance, TANF benefits, a person convicted of a felony ineligible for benefits, disclosure of felony conviction by applicant required

Summary

HB274 would bar TANF benefits for anyone convicted of any felony and require disclosure of felony convictions on TANF applications, with benefits reduced for families of ineligible individuals.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Human Resources would require TANF applicants to disclose any felony conviction on the application under penalty of perjury. A person convicted of any felony (for conduct after August 22, 1996) would not be eligible for TANF. If an applicant is ineligible, the family’s TANF benefits would be reduced by the amount that would have gone to that person. The department would adopt rules to carry out the changes, and the act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• TANF applicants must disclose felony convictions on their application; those with felony convictions could be denied benefits.
• Current TANF recipients renewing benefits after the effective date could lose eligibility or have reduced benefits.
• Families of ineligible TANF recipients would see their benefits reduced by the amount that would have gone to the ineligible person.
• Department of Human Resources is responsible for implementing the new disclosure requirement and rules.

Key Provisions

• Applicants for TANF must disclose any felony conviction (state, other jurisdiction, or United States felony) on the application, under penalty of perjury.
• Any felony conviction for conduct occurring on or after August 22, 1996 makes the person not eligible to receive TANF.
• New applicants on or after the act's effective date and current recipients seeking renewal on or after the effective date are covered.
• If a person is ineligible due to a felony, the family’s TANF benefits are reduced by the amount that would have been provided to that person.
• The Commissioner of the Department shall adopt rules to implement the act, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Public Assistance