Bill Pushes to Restrict Where Louisiana Welfare Recipients Can Spend Benefits

Governor Bobby Jindal is considering a bill that would prohibit in state law, welfare recipients from spending federal assistance at bars, liquor stores, tattoo parlors, lingerie shops, nail salons and jewelery stores.

The Times Picaaune is reporting that the bill received final passage from the Louisiana Legislature Monday (June 2).

The Department of Children and Family Services issued a ruling outlining the restrictions sponsored by Rep. Chris Broadwater (R-Hammond) adding those restrictions to the appropriate legal statute.

The final version of the bill was unanimously approved in both the House and Senate.

"The Department of Children  Services already has these rules. We're just codifying them into statute," said Sen.Dale Erdey (R-Livingston), who pushed the bill in the Senate. The bill now awaits Governor Bobby Jindal's signature.