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119-hr-372119th CongressWALLET

Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act

Sponsored By: Representative Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

In Committee

Summary

Condition federal assistance on drug testing and screening. This bill would require adults applying for TANF, SNAP, or covered public housing programs to be screened or tested for substance use and deny benefits to those who test positive.

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  • Applicants would face a 5-year arrest lookback and a screening process. Those with qualifying arrests or who screen as high risk must test negative, and a positive test leads to up to 1 year of ineligibility or until treatment or a negative test.
  • Families and households would generally still receive support when one member is disqualified. In housing programs assistance may be prorated if a single family member loses eligibility.
  • States and administering entities would choose which substances to test and must not charge testing costs to applicants. States that substantially fail to enforce the requirements could lose 15% of certain federal grants the following fiscal year.

*Authorizes 15% reductions in specified federal grants for states that substantially fail to comply with the bill's testing requirements.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Drug checks for SNAP adults

Adults 18+ on or applying for SNAP would face new drug checks. States would look back 5 years for drug arrests. If arrested, you must test negative for at least one drug the State picks. If not arrested, you must do a screening, and if high risk, test negative. A positive test would stop your SNAP for at least one year, or until treatment or a negative test. States that do not enforce would lose 15% of their SNAP admin funds the next year. This would take effect 240 days after enactment.

Stricter drug checks for TANF adults

Adults 18+ applying for or on TANF would face new drug checks. States would look back 5 years for drug arrests. If arrested, you must test negative for at least one drug the State picks. If not arrested, you must do a screening, and if high risk, test negative. A positive test would stop TANF cash aid for at least 12 months, or until treatment or a negative test. States could not charge you for required testing or screening, and a State that fails to enforce could lose 15% of its TANF grant next year. This would start the first day of the first month after 240 days from enactment.

Drug checks for public and Section 8 housing

Adults 18+ seeking public housing or Section 8 would face new drug checks. Agencies would look back 5 years for drug arrests. If arrested, you must test negative for each drug the agency selects; if not arrested, you must do a screening and, if high risk, test negative for each selected drug. A positive test would stop your housing help for at least 12 months, or until treatment or a negative test. If one family member is barred, the family’s aid would be prorated based on eligible members. Agencies that do not enforce would lose 15% of their Capital Fund, Operating Fund, and Section 8 money next year, and program funds could be used to pay testing costs. This would start the first day of the first month after 240 days from enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

NC • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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