Minneslate Logo

SF2868 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Offenses that affect eligibility for public assistance benefits modifications

Related bill: HF1900

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the eligibility criteria for public assistance in Minnesota by changing which drug offenses affect an individual's eligibility for benefits. It intends to update the statutes concerning individuals with past felony-level drug offenses and how these offenses impact their ability to receive benefits.

Main Provisions

  • Eligibility Restrictions: Individuals who have been convicted of a felony-level drug offense in the past ten years may face certain conditions when applying for or recertifying public assistance benefits.
  • Vendor Payment Requirement: For those convicted, benefits for the entire assistance unit must be paid directly to vendors for shelter and utilities.
  • Random Drug Testing: Convicted applicants or participants are subject to random drug testing. If they test positive for illegal controlled substances, the county must provide them with information about substance use disorder treatment programs.
  • Exemption for Cannabis: Convictions or positive drug tests related to cannabis, marijuana, or tetrahydrocannabinols are exempt from these provisions.
  • SNAP Benefits: Applicants or participants who are seeking or receiving only Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also face the possibility of random drug testing under similar conditions and receive treatment information if tested positive.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill amends the Minnesota Statutes to clarify that only certain felony-level drug offenses (excluding those related to cannabis) committed within the prior ten years will impose these conditions on public assistance eligibility.
  • Removes the restriction on benefits eligibility for crimes related to cannabis, marijuana, or tetrahydrocannabinols, marking a change in how drug-related convictions involving these substances are treated.

Relevant Terms

  • Public assistance eligibility
  • Felony-level drug offense
  • Vendor payment
  • Random drug testing
  • Substance use disorder treatment
  • Cannabis, marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinols
  • SNAP benefits

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toHealth and Human Services
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New provisions outlining consequences for those convicted of drug offenses."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The statute is amended regarding the impact of felony-level drug offenses on public assistance eligibility.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that benefits must be paid in vendor form for shelter and utilities.",
        "Specifies that this does not apply to cannabis-related convictions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "142G.18",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Obligates counties to provide information about substance use disorder programs upon positive drug tests."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The statute is amended regarding drug testing requirements for those convicted of drug offenses.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the definition of a drug offense in relation to public assistance eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256D.024",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

Sponsors