Signed by Governor Doug Ducey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that extends the length of time for individuals to receive government assistance.

Highlights:

• Requires all welfare recipients to apply in writing on a state-issued form to the programs they wish to participate in (Sec. 3).

• Requires application forms to contain appropriate notices of the penalties for fraud and notice that it is mandatory for recipients to cooperate with fraud investigations, with failure to cooperate resulting in case closures and termination of benefits within 10 days of notice (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that individuals convicted of a controlled substance possession felony after August 22, 1996 may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they are in compliance with the terms of their probation and (Sec. 4):

• Successfully complete a substance abuse training program;

• Have been accepted for treatment in a substance abuse treatment program;

• Are currently participating in a substance abuse treatment program; and

• Have been told they do not need substance abuse treatment by a licensed medical provider.

• Requires individuals convicted of controlled substance felonies to be drug tested more frequently within 24 months of their first application (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that needy families are ineligible if the needy family includes a cash assistance ineligible parent, spouse of parent, or adult nonparent relative that has received cash assistance on behalf of a dependent child for a total of 12 months (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that individuals assistance units where a head of household or their spouse has received 60 months of benefits under the Needy Family Block Grant are ineligible for further assistance (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that needy families may receive additional cash beyond the 60 month period if the head of household is required to participate in and is compliant with a work program or if a child in the assistance unit attends school at least 90% of the time (Sec. 5).

• Prohibits using electronic benefit transfers at liquor stores, commercial racing and gambling facilities, medical marijuana dispensaries, and adult entertainment establishments (Sec. 6).

• Prohibits adult entertainment establishments from having ATMs that accept EBT cards  on their premises (Sec. 6).

• Requires a fraud investigation to be initiated to any recipient who requests 2 replacement EBT cards within 1 year (Sec. 7).

• Requires a fraud investigation to be initiated if more than 10% of an individual’s EBT balance is spent out-of-state in a 6 month period (Sec. 7).

• Requires recipients to engage in work activities to maintain eligibility for benefits (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a jobs program to eligible families transitioning off of cash assistance for up to 12 months after case closure (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Department to initiate graduated sanctions if an assistance unit is found in noncompliance with (Sec. 9);

• Child support enforcement efforts;

• The Work Activities program;

• School enrollment and attendance requirements for children or;

• Immunization requirements for children.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that extends the length of time for individuals to receive government assistance.

Highlights:

• Requires all welfare recipients to apply in writing on a state-issued form to the programs they wish to participate in (Sec. 3).

• Requires application forms to contain appropriate notices of the penalties for fraud and notice that it is mandatory for recipients to cooperate with fraud investigations, with failure to cooperate resulting in case closures and termination of benefits within 10 days of notice (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that individuals convicted of a controlled substance possession felony after August 22, 1996 may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they are in compliance with the terms of their probation and (Sec. 4):

• Successfully complete a substance abuse training program;

• Have been accepted for treatment in a substance abuse treatment program;

• Are currently participating in a substance abuse treatment program; and

• Have been told they do not need substance abuse treatment by a licensed medical provider.

• Requires individuals convicted of controlled substance felonies to be drug tested more frequently within 24 months of their first application (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that needy families are ineligible if the needy family includes a cash assistance ineligible parent, spouse of parent, or adult nonparent relative that has received cash assistance on behalf of a dependent child for a total of 12 months (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that individuals assistance units where a head of household or their spouse has received 60 months of benefits under the Needy Family Block Grant are ineligible for further assistance (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that needy families may receive additional cash beyond the 60 month period if the head of household is required to participate in and is compliant with a work program or if a child in the assistance unit attends school at least 90% of the time (Sec. 5).

• Prohibits using electronic benefit transfers at liquor stores, commercial racing and gambling facilities, medical marijuana dispensaries, and adult entertainment establishments (Sec. 6).

• Prohibits adult entertainment establishments from having ATMs that accept EBT cards  on their premises (Sec. 6).

• Requires a fraud investigation to be initiated to any recipient who requests 2 replacement EBT cards within 1 year (Sec. 7).

• Requires a fraud investigation to be initiated if more than 10% of an individual’s EBT balance is spent out-of-state in a 6 month period (Sec. 7).

• Requires recipients to engage in work activities to maintain eligibility for benefits (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a jobs program to eligible families transitioning off of cash assistance for up to 12 months after case closure (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Department to initiate graduated sanctions if an assistance unit is found in noncompliance with (Sec. 9);

• Child support enforcement efforts;

• The Work Activities program;

• School enrollment and attendance requirements for children or;

• Immunization requirements for children.

Full Bill Text