summary
Introduced
02/14/2020
02/14/2020
In Committee
03/05/2020
03/05/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To amend the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to repeal a certain disqualification to receive benefits under title IV of the Social Security Act and benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; and to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide that incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released from an institution within 30 days shall be considered to be a household for purposes of such Act. 2 1
AI Summary
This bill, the Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2020, has two key provisions:
1. It repeals the ban on individuals with drug-related felony convictions from receiving benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps). This overrides any state laws that had opted out of or limited the period of this federal prohibition.
2. It amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to consider incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released from an institution within 30 days as a "household" for the purpose of determining SNAP benefits. This allows these soon-to-be-released individuals to receive SNAP benefits while still incarcerated, helping them access food assistance upon their return to the community.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (14)
Steve Cohen (D)*,
Alma Adams (D),
Nanette Barragán (D),
André Carson (D),
Mark DeSaulnier (D),
Bill Foster (D),
Chuy García (D),
Raúl Grijalva (D),
Joseph Kennedy (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Bobby Rush (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
Mike Thompson (D),
Rashida Tlaib (D),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (on 03/05/2020)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5915/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5915/BILLS-116hr5915ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr5915/BILLS-116hr5915ih.pdf.pdf |
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