VIEW; substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. (HB2109)

Introduced By

Del. Will Morefield (R-North Tazewell)

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 substances. The bill provides that when a screening indicates reasonable cause to believe a participant is using illegal substances, the local department of social services 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 substances shall be ineligible to receive TANF payments for a period of one year, unless he enters into and complies with the requirements of a drug treatment program; however, an individual has one opportunity during the subsequent 12-month period to comply with the screening, assessment, or treatment requirements and be reinstated to eligibility for TANF benefits. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2013Committee
01/09/2013Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101011D
01/09/2013Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
01/15/2013Assigned HWI sub: #2
01/24/2013Subcommittee recommends incorporating (HB1789-Bell, Robert B.) (7-Y 0-N)
01/25/2013Impact statement from DPB (HB2109)
02/05/2013Left in Health, Welfare and Institutions

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.

Terrance Lucky writes:

I believe this bill should be a law