State Representative David Bentz (D-18) seeks to remove the prohibition against former drug felons from receiving any funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Fund (“TANF;” also referred to as Aid for Families with Dependent Children or “AFDC”) . These former drug felons would now be eligible for assistance so long the person is otherwise eligible. And this makes sense. Why should be continue to punish those who have already served their time for their drug offense?
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
UPDATED: 6/8/2017
SPONSORS: Bentz, Heffernan, McDowell, Baumbach, Henry, J.Johnson, Kowalko, Longhurst, Townsend, Viola
YES VOTES: HOUSE: Baumbach, Bennett, Bentz, Bolden, Brady, Briggs King, Carson, Dukes, Gray, Heffernan, Hensley, J.Johnson, Q.Johnson, Jaques, Keeley, Kenton, Kowalko, Longhurst, Matthews, Miro, Mitchell, Mulrooney, Osienski, Outten, Paradee, Potter, Postles, Ramone, B.Short, D.Short, Schwartzkopf, Smyk, Spiegelman, Viola, Williams, Wilson, Yearick. SENATE: Bushweller, Cloutier, Delcollo, Ennis, Hansen, Henry, Hocker, Lavelle, Lopez, Marshall, McBride, McDowell, Pettyjohn, Poore, Richardson, Simpson, Sokola, Townsend,
NO VOTES: HOUSE: Collins [Hudson, Lynn and Smith were absent]. SENATE: None [Bonini, Lawson and Walsh were absent].
HISTORY: Passed the House 37-1-3. Passed the Senate 18-0-3.
STATUS: Awaiting Governor Carney’s signature or veto.
This is great.
Eugene Young talks about this problem a lot.
Here’s what happened with this bill last year in case anyone is interested: legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail/24233
Thanks!
May, were you watching this bill last year? Do you have a sense as to what it’s chances are this year?
I hope it passes this year…the House passed it unanimously last year, but the Senate didn’t vote on it. I think it’s a great bill and definitely needed.