Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021
Latest action (5 Aug 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 2667, the Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021, would repeal the federal provision that allows states to permanently or temporarily deny Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to individuals convicted of certain drug-related offenses. It would also void any state laws, policies, or regulations that restrict SNAP or TANF eligibility based on a drug-related conviction. Additionally, the bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 so that incarcerated individuals scheduled for release within 30 days would be counted as a "household" for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility.
The bill would primarily affect people with past drug convictions who currently face restrictions on receiving food and cash assistance, as well as individuals nearing release from incarceration who could become eligible to apply for SNAP benefits before leaving custody. States that have enacted their own restrictions under the existing federal opt-out authority would also be affected, since those state policies would no longer be enforceable.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 5, 2021, by Senator Cory Booker along with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of the 117th Congress.
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 2021
This bill repeals a lifetime ban that prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses related to the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Any state law that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP benefits or TANF assistance based on an individual's conviction of such an offense shall have no force or effect.
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.
Common questions
- What does S. 2667 do?
- S. 2667, the Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021, would repeal the federal provision that allows states to permanently or temporarily deny Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to individuals convicted of certain drug-related offenses. It would also void any state laws, policies, or regulations that restrict SNAP or TANF eligibility based on a drug-related conviction. Additionally, the bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 so that incarcerated individuals scheduled for release within 30 days would be counted as a "household" for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility. The bill would primarily affect people with past drug convictions who currently face restrictions on receiving food and cash assistance, as well as individuals nearing release from incarceration who could become eligible to apply for SNAP benefits before leaving custody. States that have enacted their own restrictions under the existing federal opt-out authority would also be affected, since those state policies would no longer be enforceable. The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 5, 2021, by Senator Cory Booker along with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of the 117th Congress.
- Has S. 2667 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Aug 2021, S. 2667 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2667?
- S. 2667 was sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ] (Democrat-NJ), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2667?
- Introduced (5 Aug 2021).
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