14RS House Bill 556

House Bill 556

Actions

Last Action	to Health & Welfare (H)
Title	AN ACT relating to eligibility for public assistance.
Bill Documents	Bill
Impact Statements	Fiscal Note
Bill Request Number	392
Sponsors	J. Shell, K. King
Summary of Original Version	Amend KRS 205.200 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to implement a substance abuse screening program for applicants and recipients of public assistance who have a felony or misdemeanor history of substance abuse; permit the cabinet to design the program and utilize testing of blood or urine or other reliable methods of substance abuse detection; state conditions under which an adult person is ineligible for public assistance; require testing as a requirement before the receipt of public assistance and once each subsequent year; require the cabinet to promulgate regulations governing the program and testing, including requirements that applicants pay for all substance abuse screening costs and receive a reimbursement if the test is passed; grant the right to additional screenings for applicants who fail a test; require both parents in two-parent families to comply with screening requirements if both parents have a felony or misdemeanor history of substance abuse; require that an individual who fails a test receive a list of licensed substance abuse treatment providers in his or her area; require passage of a drug test before receiving benefits; permit parents or guardians who fail a test to designate another individual to receive benefits for the parent's minor children; require designated individuals to pass substance abuse screenings; create a 60-day grace period to enter a treatment program after the initial positive test; require individuals to pay for a test at the end of the 60-day grace period; provide that if they pass that test, they must pass two additional randomized testings during the next 24 months, or if an individual tests positive after the 60-day grace period, they must show evidence of having entered a substance abuse treatment program within 14 days, during which time, benefits may be suspended and only be payable for the benefit of any children in that recipient's home.
Index Headings of Original Version	Fiscal Note - Public assistance, substance abuse screening Drugs and Medicines - Substance abuse screening, public assistance Poverty - Public assistance, substance abuse screening Public Assistance - Eligibility for benefits, substance abuse screening Public Medical Assistance - Eligibility for benefits, substance abuse screening Medicaid - Eligibility for benefits, substance abuse screening Civil Rights - Public assistance, substance abuse screening

03/04/14	introduced in House
03/05/14	to Health & Welfare (H)