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JEFFERSON CITY—The Senate Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee today voted to send a bill to the Senate floor that would allow drug testing of recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Senate Bill 607, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton), would require the Department of Social Services to develop a program to test work-eligible TANF applicants or recipients when a case worker believes, based on reasonable suspicion, that a person is using illegal drugs. Similar measures were rolled into SB 607, including SB 602, sponsored by Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau); SB 615, sponsored by Sen. Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon); and SB 725, sponsored by Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville). Senator Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) is also sponsoring a similar bill, SB 821, which is awaiting a committee hearing.
If the drug test is positive, the individual would be ineligible for TANF benefits for three years and would also be referred to an approved substance abuse treatment program. Also, if a parent is deemed ineligible for TANF benefits because of illegal drug use, his or her child's eligibility for the benefits would not be affected. Instead, a protective payee would be designated to ensure the child receives the benefits.
Senate Bill 607 may now be taken up for debate by the full Senate.
The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly runs through May 14, 2010. For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
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