D.C. Act 22-493. Access to Public Benefits Emergency Amendment Act of 2018.

AN ACT

To amend, on an emergency basis, the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982 to extend the prohibition on the denial of cash or food assistance benefits to adults who are drug felons to include benefits obtained through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Program on Work, Employment, and Responsibility, the General Assistance for Children Program, and the Interim Disability Assistance Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Access to Public Benefits Emergency Amendment Act of 2018".

Sec. 2. Section 571 of the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982, effective April 6, 1982 (D.C. Law 4-101; D.C. Official Code § 4-205.71), is amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 571. Granting cash and food assistance benefits to drug felons.

"An adult who is a drug felon shall not be denied cash or food assistance benefits, including TANF, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, POWER, GAC, and Interim Disability Assistance Program benefits, solely because he or she is a drug felon.".

Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Chief Financial Officer as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 4. Effective date.

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).