HB828: TANF eligibility; drug-related felonies.

HOUSE BILL NO. 828

Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 12, 2016
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1, relating to TANF eligibility; drug-related felonies.
Patron-- Torian

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1 as follows:

§ 63.2-607.1. Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies.

A person who is otherwise eligible to receive TANF assistance shall be exempt from the application of § 115(a)(1) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and shall not be denied such assistance solely because he has been convicted of a felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in violation of § 18.2-250, provided that such person (i) is not engaged in the use of illegal drugs and complies with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court and the Department; and (ii) is actively engaged in or has completed a substance abuse treatment program.