HF1900

HF1900 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Benefit eligibility offense provisions changed.

Related bill: SF2868

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to Minnesota's public assistance eligibility rules concerning individuals with felony-level drug convictions.

Key Provisions:

Changes to Eligibility Rules for Drug Offenses
- Individuals convicted of a felony drug offense within the last ten years may still qualify for public assistance or SNAP benefits. However:
  - Public assistance benefits for the entire household may be provided only in vendor form (direct payment to landlords for rent and utilities).
  - These individuals may be subject to random drug testing.
  - If they test positive for illegal substances, the county must provide them with information about substance use disorder treatment programs.
Definitions of Drug Offenses
- A "drug offense" is defined as a felony conviction under Minnesota drug statutes (Sections 152.021 to 152.025, 152.0261, 152.0262, 152.096, or 152.137) within the previous ten years.
- It also includes similar felony drug convictions from other jurisdictions, if they would be classified as felonies in Minnesota.
Exclusion of Cannabis Offenses
- Convictions or positive drug tests related to cannabis (marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols) will NOT apply for the purposes of restricting eligibility or requiring drug testing.

Impact:

Expands access to public assistance for individuals with past drug offenses, particularly for SNAP recipients.
Continues drug testing requirements for those with past convictions for harder drugs but ensures they receive treatment information.
Removes barriers related to cannabis-related offenses, aligning with policy changes that differentiate marijuana from other controlled substances.

This bill updates Minnesota’s approach to public assistance eligibility by focusing restrictions on serious drug offenses while removing penalties for cannabis convictions.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 04, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Children and Families Finance and Policy
March 04, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Children and Families Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requires random drug testing for applicants with felony drug convictions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends eligibility for public assistance based on drug offenses under section 142G.18.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies convictions related to drug offenses impacting assistance eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "142G.18",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requires counties to provide information about substance use disorder treatment."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends public assistance rules for individuals with drug convictions under section 256D.024.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies conditions for random drug testing related to felony drug convictions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256D.024",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines drug offenses impacting eligibility for public assistance.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "152.021",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines drug offenses impacting eligibility for public assistance.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "152.025",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines drug offenses impacting eligibility for public assistance.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "152.0261",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines drug offenses impacting eligibility for public assistance.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "152.0262",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines drug offenses impacting eligibility for public assistance.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "152.096",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines drug offenses impacting eligibility for public assistance.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "152.137",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]