Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2020
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (5 Mar 2020): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
What this bill does
The MEAL Act of 2020 would repeal a lifetime ban that currently prevents individuals convicted of certain drug offenses from receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or cash assistance through programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. It would also change SNAP eligibility rules so that incarcerated individuals scheduled for release within 30 days would be considered individual households for benefit purposes, regardless of their current institutional residency.
This bill affects individuals with past drug-related convictions, potentially making them eligible for SNAP and TANF benefits. It also impacts incarcerated individuals nearing release by altering how their household status is determined for SNAP. The bill states that any existing state laws that have removed or modified the federal ban would no longer be in effect.
H.R. 5915 was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 14, 2020. Its latest action is simply "Introduced." Following its introduction, the bill was referred to two committees: Agriculture and Ways and Means.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2020
This bill repeals a lifetime ban that prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses related to the possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grants. In addition, individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled to be released within 30 days shall qualify as individual households for purposes of SNAP eligibility. Under current law, unless specifically excepted, individuals residing in institutions do not constitute a household.
Existing state laws that removed or modified the federal ban at the state level shall have no force or effect.
Timeline
5 Mar 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5915 do?
- The MEAL Act of 2020 would repeal a lifetime ban that currently prevents individuals convicted of certain drug offenses from receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or cash assistance through programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. It would also change SNAP eligibility rules so that incarcerated individuals scheduled for release within 30 days would be considered individual households for benefit purposes, regardless of their current institutional residency. This bill affects individuals with past drug-related convictions, potentially making them eligible for SNAP and TANF benefits. It also impacts incarcerated individuals nearing release by altering how their household status is determined for SNAP. The bill states that any existing state laws that have removed or modified the federal ban would no longer be in effect. H.R. 5915 was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 14, 2020. Its latest action is simply "Introduced." Following its introduction, the bill was referred to two committees: Agriculture and Ways and Means.
- Has H.R. 5915 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5915. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5915?
- H.R. 5915 was sponsored by Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5915?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (5 Mar 2020).
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