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New State Law Lifts TANF Ban For Those With Felony Drug Convictions

State Senator Reynold Nesiba

Several new state laws will take effect Wednesday.

Proponents say one new law will save the state money by taking the state option to lift a 1996 federal ban on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The bill—now law—lifts the lifetime ban on TANF for those convicted of a felony for possession of a controlled substance.

Sioux Falls Democratic State Senator Reynold Nesiba is the prime sponsor of the bill. He says the law will save the state money by decreasing recidivism.

“We’re going to be able to allow families to be reunited—whether its moms or dads—coming out of our criminal justice system, being able to be with their families and giving them a short, time limited, assistance that requires work to help get them to be productive citizens, to take care of their families and to stay out of our criminal justice system,” Nesiba says.

According to a legislative document, about nine individuals a month are denied or removed from the TANF rolls due to a controlled substance related felony conviction.

Lee Strubinger is SDPB’s Rapid City-based politics and public policy reporter. Lee is a two-time national Edward R. Murrow Award winning reporter. He holds a master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.