VIEW; substance abuse screening & assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. (HB1789)
Introduced By
Del. Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville) with support from co-patrons Del. John A. Cox (R-Ashland), and Del. Anne Crockett-Stark (R-Wytheville)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. Requires local departments of social services to screen each VIEW program participant to determine whether probable cause exists to believe the participant is engaged in the use of illegal drugs. This bill provides that, when a screening indicates reasonable cause to believe a participant is using illegal drugs, the Department shall require a formal substance abuse assessment of the participant, which may include drug testing. Any person who fails or refuses to participate in a screening or assessment without good cause or who tests positive for the use of illegal drugs shall be ineligible to receive TANF payments for a period of one year. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/08/2013 | Committee |
01/08/2013 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13102901D |
01/08/2013 | Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions |
01/11/2013 | Assigned HWI sub: #2 |
01/24/2013 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 2-N) |
01/24/2013 | Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations |
01/25/2013 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1789) |
01/29/2013 | Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions with substitute (14-Y 8-N) (see vote tally) |
01/29/2013 | Committee substitute printed 13104480D-H1 |
01/29/2013 | Referred to Committee on Appropriations |
01/29/2013 | Incorporates HB2009, HB1412 and HB2109 |
01/29/2013 | Assigned App. sub: Health & Human Resources |
01/31/2013 | Subcommittee recommends no action |
01/31/2013 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1789H1) |
02/05/2013 | Left in Appropriations |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia opposes this legislation because by requiring substance abuse screening of all Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare Program applicants, the government is treating potential recipients of public assistance as criminals, invading their privacy by conducting a search without a warrant, and denying benefits to those who may most need them.