HB539 Alabama 2012 Session

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

Relating to eligibility for assistance under the federal temporary assistance for needy families program and the federal food supplemental nutrition assistance program for persons convicted of a drug related felony; to provide eligibility under certain conditions.