H.B. 1904 Summary

• Establishes a two-year pilot program requiring the Department of Human Services to conduct suspicion-based drug screening and testing for applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

• Requires applicants and recipients who test positive for drugs to enter a substance abuse treatment program within one week of referral to remain eligible for benefits; failure to enter or complete treatment results in six-month ineligibility.

• Allocates testing costs to applicants/recipients who test positive and enter treatment (cost deducted from first benefit payment), while the department pays for negative test results and those who test positive but successfully complete treatment.

• Protects dependent children's eligibility from being affected by a caretaker relative's positive drug test result; benefits directed to a protective payee instead.

• Includes confidentiality protections for all drug test information and prohibits use in criminal proceedings; program sunsets June 30, 2020, with reporting requirements to the legislature in 2019 and 2020.