Nebraska Bill Aims to Restore Lifelong Food Aid for Former Drug Felons: Here’s What You Need to Know

LINCOLN, Neb. — A bill aimed at lifting the lifetime ban on food assistance for Nebraskans with drug felony convictions advanced recently, despite some pushback from certain lawmakers. Currently, only those with one or two drug possession or use convictions can access SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, provided they complete a treatment program.

State Senator Victor Rountree of Bellevue is behind this legislation, known as Legislative Bill 319. This bill seeks to allow more individuals with felony drug records to apply for SNAP benefits once they’ve served their time or are on parole. The bill passed with a strong majority: 32 votes in favor and only 5 against it.

Opposition mainly came from State Senator Bob Andersen, who expressed concerns about providing assistance to those who have committed drug-related crimes. Rountree countered that the state’s approach to other serious crimes — like homicide and sexual assault — allows those offenders to access SNAP benefits after serving their sentences. This inconsistency raised questions about fairness, as highlighted by State Senator Jana Hughes, who asked, "At what point do you get to become a citizen again and try to do better?”

This bill is part of a broader effort to support rehabilitation for former inmates. Rountree emphasized that hunger can lead to crime, stating, “Everybody has to eat.” His proposal aims to reduce recidivism rates, which have been shown to rise dramatically when people struggle with basic needs. According to State Senator Brian Hardin, when individuals can’t access food assistance, recidivism jumps from about 3% to nearly 10%.

The historical backdrop for this ban dates back to the 1996 welfare reform legislation linked to the "war on drugs." While some states have revised their policies to permit access to aid, Nebraska’s stricter regulations remain. Rountree noted that 26 states have opted out of the ban entirely.

Support for the bill appears strong among various community leaders, including police officials from both Lincoln and Omaha, advocating for better community relations and reduced crime rates.

Rountree aims to address concerns from his colleagues, improving the bill as it moves forward in the legislative process. He believes that this change could significantly aid around 1,000 impacted Nebraskans without imposing additional costs on the state.

For more insights on SNAP and its implications, you can check out this report.

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