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2008 SESSION

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SB 404 Substance abuse screening; person become ineligible for public assistance if using illegal drugs.

Introduced by: Phillip P. Puckett | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Substance abuse screening and assessment of VIEW applicants and participants. Requires local departments of social services to conduct a screening of all applicants and participants of VIEW. This bill provides that where a screening indicates probable cause to believe an applicant or participant is using illegal drugs, the applicant or participant may be required to submit to drug testing. Where a drug test indicates that the applicant or participant is using illegal drugs, the person shall be referred to a treatment program and all TANF payments shall be made to a third party payee for the benefit of members of the applicant's or recipient's household. If a person fails or refuses to participate in a screening, assessment, or required rehabilitation program, that person shall be ineligible for TANF assistance. Persons deemed ineligible for TANF assistance on the basis of failure or refusal to participate in a screening, assessment, or required rehabilitation program, will be ineligible for a period of twelve months but shall have one opportunity to comply and be reinstated once during the twelve month period.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. Requires local departments of social services to conduct a screening of all applicants or recipients of public assistance. This bill provides that, where a screening indicates reasonable cause to believe an applicant or recipient is using illegal drugs, the applicant or recipient may be required to submit to drug testing. Where a drug test indicates that the applicant or recipient is using illegal drugs, the person shall become ineligible for public assistance. The person may reapply for public assistance once 12 months have elapsed from the date of initial ineligibility.