D.C. Act 23-151. Access to Public Benefits Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2019.

AN ACT

To amend, on an emergency basis, due to congressional review, the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982 to extend 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 Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2019".

Sec. 2. Section 571 of the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1982, effective April 20, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-241; 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, or Interim Disability Assistant benefits, solely because he or she is a drug felon.".

Sec. 3. Applicability.

This act shall apply as of October 5, 2019.

Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Chief Financial Officer as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code §1-206.02(c)(3)).

Sec. 5. 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)).