CalFresh: eligibility: drug felonies.

Existing law provides for the CalFresh program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits 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 CalFresh, if any one of specified eligibility requirements is met. This bill instead would provide that a person convicted of any drug felony shall be eligible for aid under CalFresh, eliminate the above-referenced exceptions, and make related changes. The bill would authorize the State Department of Social Services to implement its provisions through an all-county letter or similar instruction from the director. By changing the eligibility standards under CalFresh, 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.