The Missouri House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions held a hearing on Wednesday evening this week regarding a bill on the use of Federal SNAP Benefits within the state. HB 1777, sponsored by Representative Chad Perkins (R-Bowling Green), would lift the ban on SNAP benefits to non-violent drug offenders, who currently are the only category of criminal offenders barred from receiving those Federal benefits. Citing an increase in spending due to the use of these Federal benefits, supporters of the bill mentioned the change in law would benefit both the beneficiaries and the Missouri economy as well.
The bill also includes provisions that would adjust how pregnant inmates are restrained during childbirth and other related maternal care procedures. Upon inquiry, Rep. Perkins mentioned that the current shackling of incarcerated mothers during childbirth carries a substantial risk of injury should the mother fall. If implemented, the bill would mandate that shackling in these maternal cases would be barred, and instead be replaced with a greater degree of surveillance by an accompanying corrections officer. Now that the public hearing has been concluded, the bill now awaits a vote by the committee in executive session prior to reaching the House floor for amendments.