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2020 SESSION

20105131D
HOUSE BILL NO. 566
Offered January 8, 2020
Prefiled January 6, 2020
A BILL to amend and reenact § 63.2-505.2 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1, relating to eligibility for food stamps and TANF; drug-related felonies.
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Patrons-- Guzman, Bagby, Lopez, Scott, Ward, Hope, Jenkins, Kory, Levine, Rasoul, Samirah and Watts
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Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 63.2-505.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1 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.

§ 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 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 felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in violation of § 18.2-250.