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Bill Summary · HB 682

HB 682 — "Public Safety Through Food Access Act" (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (bill text dated Apr 1, 2025) — bill text sets effective date July 1, 2025

Summary
This bill removes a state-level bar that can deny participation in Work First (state TANF) and Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP) to people convicted of certain drug-related felonies. It directs that otherwise-eligible individuals convicted of specified controlled-substance felonies shall not be denied those benefits solely because of the conviction, subject to timing and treatment-related conditions.

Purpose / Intent
To improve reentry outcomes and public safety by restoring access to cash assistance and nutrition benefits for people with certain drug-felony convictions, while encouraging or requiring participation in substance‑abuse treatment where appropriate.

Key provisions
- Scope of exemption
- Applies to individuals convicted of Class H or Class I controlled-substance felony offenses under North Carolina law.
- Those otherwise eligible for Work First (TANF) or Food and Nutrition Services (electronic food benefits/SNAP) shall be exempt from the federal prohibition in section 115(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) and shall not be denied assistance solely because of a drug-related felony conviction, if they meet the bill’s conditions.

  • Eligibility conditions (two alternative paths)

    1. If incarcerated: immediately eligible upon release if the individual can demonstrate either (a) successful completion of a substance‑abuse treatment program while in custody, or (b) continuous active participation in a required treatment program deemed appropriate by the local area mental health authority.
    2. If not incarcerated: eligible six months after the date of conviction (or six months after release from custody if applicable) provided no additional controlled-substance felony is committed during that period and the individual can demonstrate successful completion of, or continuous participation in, an appropriate substance‑abuse treatment program.

  • Local administration

    • County departments of social services shall require eligible individuals to undergo substance‑abuse treatment as a condition of receiving Work First or electronic food benefits where treatment funds and programs are available and to the extent permitted by federal law.

  • Effective date

    • The bill text specifies the act becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Who/what is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: Individuals with Class H or I controlled‑substance felony convictions seeking TANF/Work First or Food and Nutrition (SNAP) benefits.
- State and county agencies: Department of Health and Human Services, county Departments of Social Services (administration, eligibility, and treatment referrals).
- Treatment providers: Greater demand for substance‑abuse treatment programs tied to benefit eligibility.
- Potential fiscal/administrative impacts: changes in caseloads for TANF and SNAP administration; possible costs or needs for expanded treatment services and program oversight. Federal rules may limit some state actions—local DSS actions are conditioned on availability of funds/programs and federal law.

Notes and context
- The bill explicitly references opting out of the federal PRWORA limitation (section 115(a)) that permits states to impose lifetime bans for drug felons; this bill narrows or removes that prohibition for the specified classes of offenses under the conditions described.
- The provision requiring treatment is subject to availability of funding and federal law constraints; practical implementation may therefore depend on federal program rules and state funding for treatment capacity.

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

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