GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 681 2017 Regular Session Moreno
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: Eliminates restrictions on eligibility for certain public
assistance for persons with prior drug convictions
DIGEST
Present law provides for operation by the Department of Children and Family Services
(DCFS) of the following assistance programs:
(1)The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (successor to the Food Stamp
Program), referred to hereafter as "SNAP".
(2)The following cash assistance programs funded by the state's Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families block grant, referred to hereafter collectively as "TANF cash
assistance":
(a)The Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (cash assistance
for low-income families with dependent children).
(b)The Kinship Care Subsidy Program (cash assistance for low-income kinship
caregivers including grandparents, step-grandparents, and other adult
relatives within the fifth degree of kinship who have legal custody or
guardianship of a minor relative).
Proposed law retains present law and revises eligibility criteria for these programs as detailed
below.
Present law provides that an individual convicted under federal or state law of any felony
offense which involves the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance shall be
ineligible for SNAP benefits and for TANF cash assistance benefits for a one-year period
commencing on the date of conviction if he is not incarcerated, or from the date of release
from incarceration if he is incarcerated. Proposed law repeals present law.
Pursuant to authorization provided in federal law (21 U.S.C. 862a), proposed law provides
that all individuals domiciled in La. shall be exempt from the prohibition established in
federal law on eligibility for SNAP benefits and for TANF cash assistance benefits based on
prior drug convictions.
Effective October 1, 2017.
(Adds R.S. 46:233.3; repeals R.S. 46:233.2 and 237(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Stipulate that any person who is authorized to receive benefits pursuant to
proposed law shall submit to routine drug testing to be administered by DCFS.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Christine Arbo Peck. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
reengrossed bill
1. Removes requirement that any person who is authorized to receive benefits
pursuant to proposed law shall submit to routine drug testing to be administered
by DCFS.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.