VIEW; substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients. (HB73)
Introduced By
Del. Dickie Bell (R-Staunton) with support from co-patrons Del. Anne Crockett-Stark (R-Wytheville), Del. Chris Peace (R-Mechanicsville), and Del. Tony Wilt (R-Harrisonburg)
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. This bill incorporates HB 221, HB 249, HB 598, and HB 955. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 12/21/2011 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/12 12100462D |
| 12/21/2011 | Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions |
| 01/20/2012 | Assigned HWI sub: #1 |
| 01/20/2012 | Impact statement from DPB (HB73) |
| 01/23/2012 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 3-N) |
| 01/24/2012 | Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions with substitute (14-Y 8-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/24/2012 | Committee substitute printed 12104603D-H1 |
| 01/24/2012 | Referred to Committee on Appropriations |
| 01/24/2012 | Assigned App. sub: Health & Human Resources |
| 01/24/2012 | Incorporates HB955 |
| 01/24/2012 | Incorporates HB249 |
| 01/24/2012 | Incorporates HB598 |
| 01/24/2012 | Incorporates HB221 |
| 01/26/2012 | Impact statement from DHCD (HB0073) |
| 01/30/2012 | Impact statement from DPB (HB73H1) |
| 02/06/2012 | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2013 |
| 02/08/2012 | Continued to 2013 in Appropriations |
| 11/29/2012 | Left in Appropriations |
Comments
I see this bill getting a few people in virginia murdered by drug users that cant legally get the money for their habit. I can only hope the victims are Republicans.
Protecting taxpayer resources should be a top priority of the legislature. Keeping drug addicts--that contribute nothing to society--off public assistance should have easily passed commitee. Look at it this way, every drug addict denied benefits for just cause will force these drug addicts to another state where getting benefits is easier. This would be a win for every hard working Virginian. Too bad the legislature can't see the forest for the trees.