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HB 2835

Allows offenders to access supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kimberly-Ann Collins

Missouri would exempt certain drug-offense SNAP applicants from disqualification if they meet treatment, compliance, and sobriety requirements.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2835

Overview

HB 2835 (Missouri, 2026) seeks to allow individuals convicted of certain drug-related offenses to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without the current restrictions tied to those convictions. The bill repeals existing eligibility limits and creates a new, streamlined exemption based on federal authority (21 U.S.C. § 862a(d)) and specified conditions related to substance use treatment and compliance with court and program obligations.

Main purpose and intent

  • Remove the existing prohibition that bars SNAP eligibility for individuals with certain felony drug offenses.
  • Create a state option to exempt these individuals from SNAP disqualification, aligning Missouri law with federal permissibility under 21 U.S.C. § 862a(d).
  • Promote access to food assistance for offenders convicted of federal or state drug-related felonies, subject to treatment participation, compliance, sobriety proof, and other conditions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Repeal and replace Section 208.247, RSMo, with a new section establishing SNAP exemption criteria for drug-offense convictions.
  • Exemption criteria (based on subsection 1):
    • The individual must meet at least one of the treatment-related or status criteria, and:
    • Currently participating in a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, or
    • Accepted for treatment but on a waiting list and remains enrolled and begins treatment at the first available opportunity, or
    • Has satisfactorily completed an approved treatment program, or
    • Has been certified by a treatment provider as not needing treatment.
    • In addition, the individual must:
    • Be compliant with all court, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and Division of Probation and Parole obligations.
    • Not have pled guilty or been found guilty of an additional controlled substance offense within one year after the date of conviction (an initial offense within the first year disqualifies the exemption).
    • Demonstrate sobriety through voluntary urinalysis testing paid for by the participant.
  • Eligibility determinations will be based on documentary or other evidence satisfactory to the Department of Social Services (DSS), with all other standard eligibility requirements for SNAP remaining applicable.
  • The Department of Social Services, in consultation with the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, will promulgate rules to implement the exemption, including criteria for active participation in and completion of treatment.
  • Limitation: The exemption does not apply to individuals who commit two subsequent felony offenses involving possession or use of a controlled substance after the first conviction.
  • The bill expressly references the federal option under 21 U.S.C. § 862a(d) and clarifies that those convicted of federal or state felony drug offenses would be exempt from SNAP eligibility prohibitions under 21 U.S.C. § 862a(a), subject to the state-defined conditions above.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals convicted of state or federal felony offenses involving possession, distribution, or use of controlled substances.
  • SNAP applicants/recipients who would have previously been ineligible due to their drug offense, but who meet the new treatment, compliance, and sobriety criteria.
  • State agencies: Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (within the Department of Mental Health) would administer and promulgate implementing rules and oversee eligibility criteria.
  • Courts, probation/parole systems, treatment providers, and authorized treatment programs that participate in demonstrating eligibility criteria and sobriety.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Replaces existing statutory language with a new section 208.247.
  • Requires DSS to promulgate rules in consultation with the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse to specify active participation and completion criteria for treatment.
  • Establishes the need for ongoing documentation and evidence to determine eligibility.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the text provided; typically, bills include an effective date (e.g., upon passage or a future date) in the final enacted version. Check the enacted bill for the exact date.

Supporting context

  • The bill is described as addressing “Public Assistance Benefits for Offenders” and is stated to be substantively similar to HB 730 from 2025.
  • Sponsorship: Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins (with Collins as sponsor and potential co-sponsors).

Potential impact

  • Expands access to SNAP for a segment of individuals with drug-related felony convictions who meet treatment and compliance requirements.
  • Could improve food security for offenders reintegrating into the community, assuming successful implementation of treatment participation and monitoring.
  • May require administrative capacity to process and verify treatment status, compliance, and sobriety testing, along with rulemaking by DSS and the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current Missouri SNAP eligibility rules or summarize similar bills (e.g., HB 730 from 2025) for context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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