HB 949 -- Temporary Assistance Benefits for Needy Families

Sponsor:  Gatschenberger

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to develop a
program to test applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) Program benefits for the use of a
controlled substance whenever a caseworker has reasonable cause
to believe, based on a reasonable suspicion, that the applicant
or recipient engages in the illegal use of controlled substances.
Applicants or recipients who test positive for the use of a
controlled substance will, after an administrative hearing, be
declared ineligible for TANF benefits for three years beginning
on the date of the administrative hearing decision.  The
department must refer an individual who tested positive to an
appropriate substance abuse treatment program approved by the
Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse within the Department of
Mental Health.  If a parent is declared ineligible due to a drug
test, his or her dependent child's eligibility will not be
affected and the child will continue to receive payments through
a protective payee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am