(a) The Commissioner of Human Services, in accordance with said Food Stamp Program, shall apply for and receive food stamps from the issuing federal agency, shall sell the same to needy persons in St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, certified for assistance by the Department of Human Services, in said amounts and for such periods as are specified by the Department of Human Services in compliance with federal regulations. The proceeds from the sale of said food stamps to needy persons shall be remitted to the Federal Reserve Bank according to applicable rules, regulations or procedural guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — Food and Nutrition Services, which may be in effect from time to time.
(b) A person who is otherwise eligible to receive food assistance under the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. §§ 2011 to 2036c or other benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant Program, 42 U.S.C., chapter 7, title IV, Part A, may not be denied assistance because the person has been convicted of a drug-related felony as described in the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, section 115, 110 Stat. 2105.
(c) All persons approved to receive benefits under the Supplement Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) who have children under 18 years of age shall complete a class of not less than six hours on parenting and budgeting that must be provided by the Department of Human Services as a component of the SNAP Employment and Training Program.