Bill to Let Drug Felons Get Food Stamps Passes W.Va. Senate

A bill to allow drug felons to receive food stamps has passed the West Virginia Senate.

The Senate unanimously approved the bill Tuesday. The House of Delegates has already passed the bill but now must concur on a Senate amendment that would exclude felons whose crimes involved death or injury.

The American Civil Liberties Union’s West Virginia chapter says West Virginia is one of three states with a food stamp ban for drug felons.

ACLU West Virginia executive director Joseph Cohen says in a statement West Virginians who have served their time for drug-related crimes “should not be perpetually punished.”

“We cannot expect anyone to successfully reintegrate into society and avoid recidivism when they’re exiting the criminal justice system with both hands tied behind their back,” Cohen stated.