Senator Curls’ Bill Repealing Lifetime Ban for Food Stamp Assistance Goes to Governor

Includes additional public assistance provisions

JEFFERSON CITY — Legislation sponsored by Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, repeals the lifetime ban for food stamp assistance in Missouri for those who have a drug felony conviction.  No other felony conviction bans others from receiving food stamp assistance.  Senate Bill 680 levels the field for those who receive these important benefits.

“For over 10 years, this particular piece of legislation has been offered to allow these individuals to get back on track by lifting this unjustifiable ban against those who have felony drug convictions,” said Sen. Curls.  “This is the same ban that turns a blind eye to those convicted of murder, child molestation and rape who receive food stamp benefits.  My legislation allows those who have felony drug convictions to move past the stigma of being a past offender and once again become a productive member of our state.”

In addition, Senate Bill 680 will:

• Requires the Department of Social Services (DSS), subject to available funding, to establish a pilot program for the purpose of providing Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) participants with access and the ability to afford fresh produce and other healthy products at farmers’ markets.
• Amends the ban on the use of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits on electronic benefit (EBT) cards in certain businesses to purchase alcohol, lottery tickets, or tobacco products, among other items. 
• Temporarily suspends benefit payments to EBT accounts when recipients of TANF or SNAP benefits fail to make at least one transaction in Missouri within a 90-day period (60 days for EBT transactions).

 “I am proud to sponsor and carry through the legislative process a common-sense bill that works for those who receive public assistance in our state,” said Sen. Curls.  “From providing fresh produce and other healthy items to our state’s citizens who utilize SNAP to ensuring public assistance is utilized in the way it is intended, Senate Bill 680 is a bill that works on behalf of all state citizens.  I’m hopeful the governor lends his signature to this extremely important bill that received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.”

Senate Bill 680 passed in the Senate by a margin of 27-3 and with 122-19 vote in the House.  The bill would take effect Aug. 28.  To read more about this and other measures sponsored by Sen. Curls, visit www.senate.mo.gov/curls.