Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires drug screening and testing for some applicants and recipients of Family Independence Program Assistance.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Human Services to administer “suspicion-based” substance abuse screening and testing for applicants and recipients of cash assistance under the Family Independence Program Assistance (Sec. 57V).

• Requires the Department of Human Services to administer an “empirically validated substance abuse screening tool” to determine whether a “reasonable” suspicion exists that an applicant has engaged in the prohibited use of a controlled substance (Sec. 57V).

• Requires applicants or recipients who are determined to exhibit a “reasonable” suspicion to take a substance abuse test (Sec. 57V).

• Specifies that individuals who refuse to take a substance abuse test are ineligible for Family Independence Program Assistance but may reapply in 6 months, subject to another substance abuse screening (Sec. 57V).

• Specifies that applicants or recipients who test positive for the prohibited use of a controlled substance can proceed in one of the following ways (Sec. 57V):
• The applicant or recipient will be ineligible for Family Independence Program Assistance but may reapply in 6 months provided that he/she tests negative for controlled substances; or
• The applicant or recipient can enroll in a substance abuse program during which he/she is ineligible for Family Independence Program Assistance and after 90 days may retake the substance abuse test and may apply for Family Independence Program Assistance if he/she passes.

• Requires the cost of administering a drug test to be deducted from the first payment of a recipient of Family Independence Program Assistance (Sec. 57V).

Full Bill Text