SB 183 - This act requires the Department of Social Services to develop a program to test applicants or recipients of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) benefits when a case worker believes, based on reasonable suspicion, that such person engages in illegal use of controlled substances. Any applicant or recipient who is found to have tested positive for the use of a controlled substance after an administrative hearing shall be declared ineligible for temporary assistance for needy families benefits for a period of three years from the date of the administrative hearing decision. The department shall refer an applicant or recipient who tested positive for the use of a controlled substance under this act to an appropriate substance abuse treatment program approved by the division of alcohol and drug abuse within the department of mental health. Also, if a parent is deemed ineligible for TANF benefits due to the provisions of this act, his or her dependent child's eligibility for such benefits shall not be affected and an appropriate protective payee may be established for the benefit of the child. The department shall promulgate rules to develop the screening and testing provisions of this section. This act is substantially similar to SB 73 (2009), SB 86 (2009) and HCS/HB 30 (2009) and identical to SB 1259 (2008).
ADRIANE CROUSE