Title 21, Food and DrugsRelease 119-102
§862b Sanctioning for Testing Positive for Controlled Substances
Title 21 › CHAPTER 13 — DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL › SUBCHAPTER I — CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT › Part D — Offenses and Penalties › § 862b
Summary
States may test welfare recipients for drug use and punish those who test positive.
Full Legal Text
Title 21, §862b
Food and Drugs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, States shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government from testing welfare recipients for use of controlled substances nor from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for use of controlled substances.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was enacted as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and not as part of the Controlled Substances Act which comprises this subchapter.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
21 U.S.C. § 862b
Title 21, Food and Drugs
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102