Concerning court rules and procedures.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Hunter Abell and 7 co-sponsors

HB 2178 removes felony drug convictions as a barrier to SNAP, ends drug-testing for eligibility, and bans denying food assistance solely because of a drug conviction.

Effective date 6/11/2026.

Purpose

HB 2178 would remove statutory barriers that currently prevent people with felony drug convictions from receiving food assistance. The bill eliminates related drug‑testing eligibility requirements and explicitly prohibits denying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits solely because of a drug‑related conviction.

Key provisions

Amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 39-709 (general eligibility provisions for assistance where federal moneys are expended).

Removes the prohibition on persons convicted of a felony drug offense from receiving food assistance (SNAP).

Eliminates any statutory requirements to perform drug testing as a condition of food assistance eligibility.

Adds an explicit prohibition against denying food assistance solely on the basis of a drug‑related conviction.

Repeals the existing version of the section being amended.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: individuals with prior felony drug convictions who were previously barred from receiving SNAP or who faced drug‑testing requirements tied to eligibility.

Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF): administrative responsibility for implementing eligibility changes and updating policies and forms.

Households seeking SNAP: possible expanded eligibility pool; no change to benefit funding source.

Fiscal impact

According to the Kansas Division of the Budget (fiscal note dated Feb. 5, 2025), enactment would have a negligible fiscal effect on state expenditures or revenues.

All SNAP benefit payments are 100% federally funded; therefore, direct benefit costs would not be borne by the state.

Any administrative costs for DCF to update eligibility rules or procedures are expected to be minimal.

Legislative status and timeline (selected actions)

Filed/Introduced: Jan. 28, 2025

Referred to Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care: Jan. 31, 2025; withdrawn and referred to Committee on Welfare Reform: Feb. 3, 2025

Readings and committee activity: First reading Jan. 21–29; Do Pass/Short Debate (Executive Committee) Mar. 12, 2025 (12–0); public hearing and testimony taken Apr. 8, 2025 (left pending in committee)

Additional procedural actions: Re-referred to Rules Committee under Rule 19(a) May 31, 2025; third‑reading deadline extended to May 31, 2025

Current status (most recent action in record): Re‑referred to Rules Committee; not enacted.

Notes / Context

The statutory section amended governs eligibility for assistance programs where federal funds are used (including TANF and SNAP). The fiscal note and bill text focus on food assistance/SNAP. If enacted, the bill would align food‑assistance eligibility policy with reentry and recovery objectives by removing a longstanding categorical bar tied to felony drug convictions.

Bill