A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to exempt from federal restrictions on food and nutrition services benefits individuals convicted of drug‑related felonies.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 108A‑25.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 108A‑25.2.  Exemption from limitations for Work First Program for individuals convicted of certain drug‑related felonies; exemption from federal law for food and nutrition services program.
(a)	Individuals convicted of Class H or I controlled substance felony offenses in this State shall be eligible to participate in the Work First Program:
(1)	Six months after release from custody if no additional controlled substance felony offense is committed during that period and successful completion of or continuous active participation in a required substance abuse treatment program determined appropriate by the area mental health authority; or
(2)	If not committed to custody, six months after the date of conviction if no additional controlled substance felony offense is committed during that period and successful completion of or continuous active participation in a required substance abuse treatment program determined appropriate by the area mental health authority.
A county department of social services shall require individuals who are eligible for Work First Program assistance benefits pursuant to this section to undergo substance abuse treatment as a condition for receiving Work First Program benefits, if funds and programs are available and to the extent allowed by federal law.
(b)	Pursuant to the option granted to states under 21 U.S.C. § 862a(d)(1), individuals convicted under federal or State law of any controlled substance felony offenses are eligible to participate in the food and nutrition services program."
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year to notify the public of the changes implemented under this act.
SECTION 3.  This section becomes effective July 1, 2020.