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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri bill lifts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ban for individuals with felony drug convictions
Last action · January 27, 2026: Second Read and Referred S Families, Seniors and Health CommitteeSponsor: Mary Elizabeth Coleman
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What This Bill Would Do
SB 1401 - This act repeals provisions of law allowing for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) only if certain conditions are met. Under this act, individuals convicted of a state or federal felony drug offense shall not be excluded from SNAP for such conviction. This act is identical to provisions in SB 277 (2025), SB 905 (2024), SB 1012 (2024), HCS/HBs 1777, 2203, 2059, & 2502 (2024), the perfected SS/SB 82 (2023), and the perfected HCS/HB 719 (2023) SARAH HASKINS
Changes eligibility standards for state-administered food assistance, expanding program access for residents with past felony drug convictions without requiring prior compliance with treatment programs or drug screening.
- Federal law under 21 U.S.C. Section 862a imposes a lifetime ban on SNAP and TANF eligibility for individuals convicted of drug-related felonies, but grants states the option to opt out or modify this prohibition. context
- Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman introduced Senate Bill 1401 during the 2026 Second Regular Session of the 103rd Missouri General Assembly. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
individuals convicted of a felony drug offense
Their eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits is altered by removing prior statutory restrictions and treatment mandates.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applicants
The evidentiary requirements and conditions required to qualify for food assistance under state law are changed.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who becomes eligible for SNAP benefits under this bill?
Are applicants still required to complete substance abuse treatment to receive SNAP?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
3 actions- Jan 27, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Families, Seniors and Health Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Dec 3, 2025SenatePrefiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 5880S.01I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Removal of Treatment Mandates for SNAP Eligibility
The legislation systematically removes all conditional hurdles—such as drug screening, treatment program participation, and clean-record waiting periods—that were previously enacted under state options for federal SNAP eligibility.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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