RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 265 (HB 681) 2017 Regular Session Moreno
Existing 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).
New law retains existing law and revises eligibility criteria for these programs.
Prior law provided 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. New law repeals prior law.
Pursuant to authorization provided in federal law (21 U.S.C. 862a), new 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))