CASE WORKER DISCRETION IN DRUG TESTING OF TANF RECIPIENTS

Family support division employees may refer an applicant or recipient for drug testing if the employee has personal knowledge that the applicant or recipient may have engaged in the illegal use of a controlled substance. Family support division employees shall be immune from civil damages and criminal penalties for complying with the provisions of this act. (Section 208.027)

TANF WORK ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATION

This act requires each TANF recipient who is 16 years of age or older to participate in work activities as allowed under federal law. The department shall determine the standards and procedures for the referral of individuals for work activities.

All recipients of TANF benefits shall provide proof that all dependent children who are eligible for enrollment in a public school are enrolled and attending school, whether public, private or a home school setting, regularly upon annual reverification or in every instance of a physical meeting with a case worker. (Section 208.042)

HIPP PROGRAM

The MO HealthNet Division shall screen all recipients of MO HealthNet benefits to determine if such recipients are eligible to participate in the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program. All eligible recipients shall participate in the HIPP program if it is determined to be cost effective for the division. (Section 208.152)

CERTAIN FELONS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMP BENEFITS

This act provides that pursuant to the option granted under the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, an individual who has a felony conviction under federal or state law involving possession or use of a controlled substance shall be eligible for food stamp benefits if such person, as determined by the Department of Social Services, has met at least one of the following conditions:

(1) Successfully participates in, is accepted for treatment and is on a waiting list for, or has satisfactorily completed a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse;

(2) Has been determined by a division-certified treatment provider to not need substance abuse treatment; or

(3) Complies with all obligations imposed by the court, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Division of Probation and Parole.

The individual must all meet all other factors for foods stamps eligibility. (Section 208.247)

This act is identical to HB 838 (2013) and substantially similar to SB 346 (2013).

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FRAUD

When a report of suspected public assistance benefits fraud is received by the department, the department shall investigate such report. Absent good cause, any investigation shall be concluded within 18 days of receipt of the report. The burden of conducting the investigation rests with the fraud investigator or fraud unit and not the recipient's eligibility specialist. (Section 208.249)

WELFARE TO WORK PROGRAMS

The Department of Social Services shall establish and implement a Welfare-to-Work program that requires work-eligible recipients, as defined by federal rules, to participate in work activities. All allowable activities under such program shall be in compliance with federal rules, including but not limited to, time limited restrictions for specified activities and verification requirements. (Section 1)

HIGH SCHOOL OR GED REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS

All recipients of TANF benefits, food stamps, child care assistance, supplemental nutrition assistance, or any other similar governmental assistance program who are 18 years of age or older shall be required to possess or be working toward a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate. Any applicant who is working toward such diploma or certificate shall show proof of such actions upon annual re-verification with the department. (Section 2)

ADRIANE CROUSE