Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (11 Sep 2020): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
What this bill does
H.R. 7916, the Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020, would temporarily suspend a federal provision—section 115 of the 1996 welfare reform law—that allows states to deny Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to individuals with certain drug-related felony convictions. Under the bill, this ban would not apply to anyone applying for SNAP or TANF, and any state laws or policies that impose eligibility restrictions based on a controlled-substance conviction would have no effect during this period. The suspension would run from the bill's enactment date through December 31, 2022.
The bill primarily affects people with prior drug-related felony convictions who might otherwise be barred from receiving SNAP food assistance or TANF cash assistance, either under federal law or under state laws adopted using the authority in section 115. It also affects state governments, whose related eligibility restrictions would be temporarily overridden.
The bill was introduced on July 31, 2020, by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) with numerous cosponsors, during the second session of the 116th Congress. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Agriculture. The bill did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020
This bill modifies eligibility requirements under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to temporarily waive requirements related to the denial of assistance and benefits for certain drug-related convictions.
Any state law, policy, or regulation that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP and TANF based on an individual's conviction of an offense related to a controlled substance shall have no force or effect until December 31, 2022.
Timeline
11 Sep 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 7916 do?
- H.R. 7916, the Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020, would temporarily suspend a federal provision—section 115 of the 1996 welfare reform law—that allows states to deny Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to individuals with certain drug-related felony convictions. Under the bill, this ban would not apply to anyone applying for SNAP or TANF, and any state laws or policies that impose eligibility restrictions based on a controlled-substance conviction would have no effect during this period. The suspension would run from the bill's enactment date through December 31, 2022. The bill primarily affects people with prior drug-related felony convictions who might otherwise be barred from receiving SNAP food assistance or TANF cash assistance, either under federal law or under state laws adopted using the authority in section 115. It also affects state governments, whose related eligibility restrictions would be temporarily overridden. The bill was introduced on July 31, 2020, by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) with numerous cosponsors, during the second session of the 116th Congress. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Agriculture. The bill did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
- Has H.R. 7916 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 7916. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 7916?
- H.R. 7916 was sponsored by Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4] (D-WI), with 59 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 7916?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (11 Sep 2020).
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