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

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/08/2013Committee
01/08/2013Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13102901D
01/08/2013Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
01/11/2013Assigned HWI sub: #2
01/24/2013Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 2-N)
01/24/2013Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
01/25/2013Impact statement from DPB (HB1789)
01/29/2013Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions with substitute (14-Y 8-N) (see vote tally)
01/29/2013Committee substitute printed 13104480D-H1
01/29/2013Referred to Committee on Appropriations
01/29/2013Incorporates HB2009, HB1412 and HB2109
01/29/2013Assigned App. sub: Health & Human Resources
01/31/2013Subcommittee recommends no action
01/31/2013Impact statement from DPB (HB1789H1)
02/05/2013Left in Appropriations

Comments

ACLU-VA Privacy Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

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.