2015 -- H 6261

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LC002731

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Corvese, Messier, Morin, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: May 28, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-6 of the General Laws entitled "Public Assistance Act" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-6-8.1. Ineligibility for and suspension of aid or assistance upon commitment to

adult correctional institutions. – (a) Any person convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced

to a term of imprisonment, upon commencement of his or her sentence, shall not be eligible for,

or continue to receive, benefits under the supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) as

provided in § 40-6-8.

     (b) The Rhode Island department of corrections (RIDOC) shall, on the first day of each

month, forward the department of human services, the name, date of birth, and social security

number of each person who has commenced a term of imprisonment within the previous month.

     (c) The department of human services shall, on the first day of each month, request the

name, date of birth, and social security number from the United States attorney's office for the

district of Rhode Island of each Rhode Island resident who has been sentenced to and begun a

term of imprisonment for any federal offense.

     (d) A term of imprisonment shall not include any period of time in which a person is held

pending trial, awaiting trial, or held due to the person's inability to secure release by posting bail

or surety with the court.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

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     This act would provide that any person convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to a

term of imprisonment, upon commencement of his or her sentence, shall not be eligible for, or

continue to receive, benefits under the supplemental nutritional assistance program. A term of

imprisonment would not include any period of time in which a person is held awaiting trial or due

to a person’s inability to secure release by posting bail or surety with the court.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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