Food stamps: eligibility: drug felonies.

Existing law provides for the Food Stamp Program, under which food stamps allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing law provides that a person convicted of a drug-related felony, with certain exceptions, is eligible for aid under the Food Stamp Program, if specified drug treatment conditions are met. This bill would remove the limitation that excepts certain drug-related felonies from these provisions. The bill would authorize the State Department of Social Services to implement its provisions through an all-county letter or similar instructions from the director. By changing the eligibility standards under the Food Stamp Program, this bill would increase the responsibilities of counties in the administration of the program, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.