I. Subject to the provisions of 7 C.F.R. § 273.16, or any subsequent amendments thereto, when a person receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits is convicted of a violation of N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167:17-b, the commissioner shall discontinue his or her assistance for a minimum period of 12 months upon the first conviction, 24 months upon the second conviction, and permanently upon the third conviction, unless the court orders that assistance be discontinued for longer periods of time after the first or second convictions.
II. In addition to any criminal penalties which may be imposed, a court of appropriate jurisdiction may discontinue the food stamps assistance of any person convicted of fraudulently using, presenting, transferring, acquiring, receiving, possessing, or altering food stamps for an additional period of up to 18 months, consecutive to that period of suspension mandated in paragraph I.