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Defenders of Justice
Justice Circle April is Second Chance Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the collateral consequences of a criminal record and advancing efforts that promote fairness and access to opportunity for people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
This year, during North Carolina’s 2024 legislative session, our project will be actively advocating for four Second Chance bills. These bills address crucial issues like debt-based driver’s license suspensions, the unregulated use of mugshots, and the automatic expungement of certain criminal charges.
Here’s a brief overview of the bills we’ll be focusing on, please follow the links to contact your lawmaker and show your support:
Senate Bill 546
North Carolina should ensure access to food and cash assistance for people reentering society from our criminal legal system. In 1996, the federal government passed a law that bans people with a felony drug conviction from receiving food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP”) and cash assistance programs (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or “TANF”). SB564 Makes a person with a felony drug conviction immediately eligible for SNAP and TANF benefits after their conviction date or upon release from incarceration. The bill also requires a person to successfully complete successfully completed a drug treatment program or be continuously and actively participating in a required drug treatment program to qualify for SNAP and TANF.