HB 1289 -- Temporary Assistance Benefits for Needy Families

Sponsor:  Gatschenberger

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to develop a
program to test applicants for and recipients of the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program when a case worker
believes, based on reasonable suspicion, that the person engages
in the illegal use of controlled substances.  Applicants and
recipients who test positive for the use of a controlled
substance which has not been prescribed by a licensed health care
provider will, after an administrative hearing by the Department
of Social Services, be declared ineligible for TANF benefits for
three years beginning on the date of the administrative hearing
decision and will be referred by the department to a substance
abuse treatment program approved by the Division of Alcohol and
Drug Abuse within the Department of Mental Health.  Any member of
a household which includes a person who has been declared
ineligible for TANF benefits, if otherwise eligible, will
continue to receive payments through an appropriate protective
payee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:10 pm