SNAP Ban Study Act

HR 4855, the SNAP Ban Study Act, directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the impact of the federal ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for individuals convicted of drug-related felonies after prison release. The study will examine how different state policies - ranging from full bans to partial waivers - affect recidivism rates (re-arrest, conviction, return to prison), well-being, and economic outcomes for these individuals over 5-10 years, as well as the federal and state costs of maintaining the ban. It will also analyze the economic impact on families of victims of drug-related violence and assess research quality on SNAP eligibility for this group. The GAO must submit a public report to Congress within two years. This bill does not change SNAP rules but mandates a factual analysis of the existing policy.