SB 385 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Human Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department, on a monthly basis, to analyze electronic benefit card data to identify food assistance recipients who have made purchases out of state for 90 consecutive days or more, send written notice to the identified recipients to request proof of in-state residency, and remove any recipients who fail to provide proof of Tennessee residency or fail to respond within 30 days; prohibits the department from granting a homelessness exception to work requirements unless the department has verified that the recipient is a homeless individual based on certain proof. - Amends TCA Title 71.

SB 385 would require Tennessee's Department of Human Services to monthly check food assistance card data for recipients who made out-of-state purchases for 90 consecutive days or more. It would mandate sending these recipients a 30-day notice to prove Tennessee residency, removing them from the program if they fail to provide proof or respond. The bill also prohibits granting homelessness exceptions to work requirements without verified proof, such as notarized shelter stay documentation or housing authority confirmation. This bill was introduced on January 28, 2025, but was withdrawn on February 10, 2025, and is not currently law.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Feb 10, 2025