Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3104, sub-§14 is enacted to read:

14.__Prohibition against denial of assistance based on drug conviction.__A person who is otherwise eligible to receive food assistance under the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 United States Code, Sections 2011 to 2036 may not be denied assistance because the person has been convicted of a drug-related felony as described in the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, Section 115, 110 Stat. 2105.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §3762, sub-§17 is enacted to read:

17.__Prohibition against denial of assistance based on drug conviction.__A person who is otherwise eligible to receive TANF may not be denied assistance because the person has been convicted of a drug-related felony as described in Section 115 of PRWORA.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that a person who is otherwise eligible to receive food assistance under the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977 or to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families may not be denied assistance because the person has been convicted of a drug-related felony. Federal law denies assistance to such a person unless a state legislature enacts legislation exempting its citizens from this prohibition.