MS HB1229

Requires recipients of public assistance benefits (TANF, Medicaid, and other state-funded economic assistance) who are 13 years of age or older to submit to random drug testing to determine eligibility.

Terminates benefits for 6 months if a recipient tests positive for any controlled substance without a valid prescription, or tests positive for a prescribed drug at dosage levels exceeding the prescription; permanent termination applies if the recipient has previously tested positive on at least one other occasion.

Requires the State Department of Health to administer drug tests at the recipient's expense; if the recipient tests negative, the administering agency must repay the cost in cash or by increasing the next month's benefits by the test amount.

Allows individuals ineligible for 6 months due to a positive test to reapply after the 6-month period and become eligible again upon passing a new drug test.

Amends Medicaid and TANF eligibility requirements to make compliance with drug testing provisions mandatory for continued receipt of benefits; takes effect July 1, 2014.