SECOND REGULAR SESSION
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SANDERS BROOKS (Sponsor), BOYKINS, HOSKINS, LOW (39), EL-AMIN, CURLS, WRIGHT (137), BLAND, JETTON, MEINERS, BOWMAN, HUGHES, HUBBARD, CHAPPELLE NADAL, WILDBERGER, SKAGGS, SWINGER, OXFORD, JOHNSON (61) AND PARKER (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time February 23, 2006 and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to eligibility for public assistance.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.018, to read as follows:
208.018. 1. Beginning August 1, 2007, any individual receiving state benefits shall be required to show proof of voter registration prior to receipt of any state benefit if such individual is at least eighteen years of age and otherwise meets the voting eligibility requirements; except that, such requirement shall not apply to an individual who objects based on religious beliefs. Every state agency distributing state benefits shall be responsible for annually ensuring that recipients of state benefits subject to this section are registered to vote prior to distribution of such benefits.
2. For purposes of this section, "state benefits" means the state awarded programs of tax credits, state student financial aid, state business loans, Medicaid, child care subsidies, and temporary assistance for needy families.
3. Any state benefit recipient subject to this section who is receiving state benefits on August 1, 2007, shall provide proof of voter registration to the state agency from which such benefits are distributed prior to November 1, 2007, to continue receipt of such benefits.
4. Any state benefit recipient meeting voter eligibility requirements who is subject to this section shall have one hundred twenty days to provide proof of voter registration to the state agency from which such benefits are distributed before such benefits may be terminated by the state agency.
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