HB786: Food stamps; eligibility, drug-related felonies.

HOUSE BILL NO. 786

Offered January 8, 2020
Prefiled January 7, 2020
A BILL to amend and reenact § 63.2-505.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to eligibility for food stamps; drug-related felonies.
Patron-- Bagby

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 63.2-505.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 63.2-505.2. Eligibility for food stamps; drug-related felonies.

A person who is otherwise eligible to receive food stamp benefits shall be exempt from the application of section § 115(a) of the federal 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 drug-related felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in violation of § 18.2-250, provided such person is complying with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court, is actively engaged in or has completed a substance abuse treatment program, participates in periodic drug screenings, and any other obligations as determined by the Department.