HB 16 Summary

• Requires applicants and recipients of cash assistance under AS 47.25.120-47.25.300 to be U.S. citizens or legal aliens as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1181-1186 and not otherwise precluded from eligibility under state or federal law.

• Establishes a mandatory alcohol impairment and drug testing program for applicants and recipients of cash assistance, including random and suspicion-based testing for alcohol impairment and illegal drug use.

• Specifies drug cutoff concentration levels for initial and confirmatory urine testing, including marijuana metabolites (50 ng/mL initial, 15 ng/mL confirmatory), cocaine metabolites (300 ng/mL initial, 150 ng/mL confirmatory), opiates, phencyclidine, and amphetamines.

• Requires the department to deny or suspend cash assistance to applicants or recipients who test positive for alcohol or drugs and fail to comply with an approved treatment program, or who refuse required testing; allows continuing assistance through a protective payee if a third party provides care, shelter, or food.

• Mandates department staff training on alcohol abuse and controlled substances, establishes testing procedures and safeguards including confidentiality protections, confirmatory testing requirements, and rights to test results within specified timeframes.