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Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-2667| Senate 
| Updated: 8/5/2021
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (8)
Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021 This bill repeals a lifetime ban that prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses related to the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Any state law that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP benefits or TANF assistance based on an individual's conviction of such an offense shall have no force or effect. In addition, individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled to be released within 30 days shall qualify as individual households for purposes of SNAP eligibility. Under current law, unless specifically excepted, individuals residing in institutions do not constitute a household.
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Timeline
Jul 1, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2837
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Aug 5, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Aug 5, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • July 1, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2837
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.


  • August 5, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 5, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 117-6492: Climate Resilience Workforce Act
  • HR 117-2837: Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021

Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-2667| Senate 
| Updated: 8/5/2021
Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021 This bill repeals a lifetime ban that prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses related to the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Any state law that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP benefits or TANF assistance based on an individual's conviction of such an offense shall have no force or effect. In addition, individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled to be released within 30 days shall qualify as individual households for purposes of SNAP eligibility. Under current law, unless specifically excepted, individuals residing in institutions do not constitute a household.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 1, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2837
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Aug 5, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Aug 5, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • July 1, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2837
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.


  • August 5, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 5, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (8)
Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 117-6492: Climate Resilience Workforce Act
  • HR 117-2837: Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted