Missouri seeks to lift lifetime food stamp ban on drug felons, has bipartisan support

It's about time MO looked more seriously into this. This bill offers assistance and accountability at the same time. It is at the very least a vast improvement over simply banning people, most of whom have a medical problem, from fully integrating into society. We need your support on this now, see below.

March 2, 2012
Bill would allow drug felons to get food stamps

From The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Supporters say a bill that would allow convicted drug felons to be eligible for food stamps is gaining momentum among Missouri lawmakers.

The Kansas City Star reports three Republican House members and one Democrat are sponsoring the bill, which would repeal the state’s lifetime ban on food stamps for drug felons.

They say it’s not fair that murderers and child molesters are eligible for assistance, but people with felony drug convictions aren’t.

Missouri is one of only nine states where a felony drug conviction means a lifetime ban.
http://www.joplinglobe.com/topstories/x1511862399/Bill-would-allow-drug-felons-to-get-food-stamps

The bill is currently in the Committee on Children and Families. It was heard in that committee 3 days ago so will be up for a vote soon. I am going to copy and paste e-mails to the entire committee below so you can send one out to all of them. Here is the bill text:

HOUSE BILL NO. 1238

Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.247, to read as follows:

208.247. 1. Pursuant to the option granted the state by 21 U.S.C. Section 862a(d), an individual who has pled guilty to or is found guilty under federal or state law of a felony involving possession or use of a controlled substance shall be exempt from the prohibition contained in 21 U.S.C. Section 862a(a) against eligibility for food stamp program benefits for such convictions, if such person, as determined by the department to meet at least one of the following conditions:

(1) Is currently successfully participating in a substance abuse treatment program approved by the division of alcohol and drug abuse within the department of mental health;

(2) Is currently accepted for treatment in and participating in a substance abuse treatment program approved by the division of alcohol and drug abuse, but is subject to a waiting list to receive available treatment, and the individual remains enrolled in the treatment program and enters the treatment program at the first available opportunity;

(3) Has satisfactorily completed a substance abuse treatment program approved by the division of alcohol and drug abuse;

(4) Is successfully complying with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the court, the division of alcohol and drug abuse, and the division of probation and parole;

(5) Has demonstrated sobriety through voluntary urinalysis testing paid for by the participant; or

(6) It has been more than four years since the conviction for a drug related felony.

2. Eligibility based upon the factors in subsection 1 of this section shall be based upon documentary or other evidence satisfactory to the department of social services, and the applicant shall meet all other factors for program eligibility.

3. The department of social services, in consultation with the division of alcohol and drug abuse, shall promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of this section, including specifying criteria for determining active participation in and completion of a substance abuse treatment program.

http://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills121/biltxt/intro/HB1238I.HTM

Committee on Children and Families e-mails:

Churie.Spreng@house.mo.gov, Lindell.Shumake@house.mo.gov, Jeanette.Oxford@house.mo.gov, jmo4rep@juno.com, Stacey.Newman@house.mo.gov, Judy.Morgan@house.mo.gov, Mike.McGhee@house.mo.gov, Karla.May@house.mo.gov, Melissa.Leach@house.mo.gov, Andrew.Koenig@house.mo.gov, Cloria.Brown@house.mo.gov, Rick.Brattin@house.mo.gov, Jay.Barnes@house.mo.gov, Kurt.Bahr@house.mo.gov, Kurt.Bahr@gmail.com, Scott.Largent@house.mo.gov

Ask them to get behind this today!