HB 1351 Summary

• Requires the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services to establish a drug testing program for individuals with prior controlled substance convictions who apply for or receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance, effective January 1, 2016.

• Individuals subject to the program must test negative for controlled substances at application and annually while receiving TANF; those testing positive lose eligibility for 3 months unless enrolled in drug abuse treatment, with permanent ineligibility after a second positive test upon reapplication.

• Costs of drug tests are paid by the state, except costs are withheld from an individual's TANF benefits if they test positive; individuals designated as protective payees for children must also undergo drug testing if they have prior controlled substance convictions.

• Prohibits TANF assistance from being used to purchase food, food products, or beverages not permitted under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), pending federal approval if necessary.

• Requires the Office to collect data to prevent discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or sex in the drug testing program and to provide test results to the Indiana housing and community development authority and SNAP administrators.