102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0265

 

Introduced 1/29/2021, by Rep. Thomas M. Bennett

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
305 ILCS 5/12-4.54 new

    Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and that subject to federal approval, the Department shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Provides that an individual who tests positive for controlled substances as a result of a drug test is ineligible to receive TANF benefits or SNAP benefits for one year after the date of the positive drug test, with certain exceptions. Contains provisions concerning notice; persons required to comply with the drug testing requirements; persons exempt from the drug testing requirements; reimbursements for the cost of the drug testing; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2021.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by
5adding Section 12-4.54 as follows:
 
6    (305 ILCS 5/12-4.54 new)
7    Sec. 12-4.54. Drug screening for applicants.
8    (a) The Department of Human Services shall require a drug
9test to screen each individual who applies for Temporary
10Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) under Article IV of this
11Code.
12    Subject to federal approval, the Department shall require
13a drug test to screen each individual who applies for benefits
14under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
15(SNAP).
16    The cost of drug testing shall be the responsibility of
17the individual tested.
18    An individual subject to the requirements of this Section
19includes any parent or caretaker relative who is included in
20an assistance unit that receives TANF cash assistance under
21Article IV of this Code, including an individual who may be
22exempt from work activity requirements due to the age of the
23youngest child or who may be exempt from work activity

 

 

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1requirements as provided under Section 9A-4 of this Code.
2    An individual who tests positive for controlled substances
3as a result of a drug test required under this Section is
4ineligible to receive TANF benefits or SNAP benefits for one
5year after the date of the positive drug test, unless the
6individual meets the requirements of subsection (c).
7    (b) The Department shall:
8        (1) provide notice of drug testing to each individual
9    at the time of application; the notice must advise the
10    individual that drug testing will be conducted as a
11    condition for receiving TANF benefits or SNAP benefits and
12    that the individual must bear the cost of the testing; if
13    the individual tests negative for controlled substances,
14    the Department shall increase the amount of the initial
15    TANF benefit or SNAP benefit by the amount paid by the
16    individual for the drug testing; the individual shall be
17    advised that the required drug testing may be avoided if
18    the individual does not apply for TANF benefits or SNAP
19    benefits; dependent children under the age of 18 are
20    exempt from the drug testing requirement;
21        (2) require that for 2-parent families, both parents
22    must comply with the drug testing requirement;
23        (3) require that any teen parent who is not required
24    to live with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult
25    caretaker relative must comply with the drug testing
26    requirement;

 

 

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1        (4) advise each individual to be tested, before the
2    test is conducted, that he or she may, but is not required
3    to, advise the agent administering the test of any
4    prescription or over-the-counter medication he or she is
5    taking;
6        (5) require each individual to be tested to sign a
7    written acknowledgment that he or she has received and
8    understood the notice and advice provided under paragraphs
9    (1) and (4);
10        (6) ensure each individual being tested a reasonable
11    degree of dignity while producing and submitting a sample
12    for drug testing, consistent with the State's need to
13    ensure the reliability of the sample;
14        (7) specify circumstances under which an individual
15    who fails a drug test has the right to take one or more
16    additional tests;
17        (8) inform an individual who tests positive for a
18    controlled substance and is deemed ineligible for TANF
19    benefits or SNAP benefits that the individual may reapply
20    for those benefits one year after the date of the positive
21    drug test, unless the individual meets the requirements of
22    subsection (c); if the individual tests positive again, he
23    or she is ineligible to receive TANF benefits or SNAP
24    benefits for 3 years after the date of the second positive
25    drug test, unless the individual meets the requirements of
26    subsection (c); and

 

 

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1        (9) provide any individual who tests positive with a
2    list of licensed substance abuse treatment providers
3    available in the area in which he or she resides; neither
4    the Department nor the State is responsible for providing
5    or paying for substance abuse treatment as part of the
6    screening conducted under this Section.
7    (c) An individual who tests positive under this Section
8and is denied TANF benefits or SNAP benefits as a result may
9reapply for those benefits after 6 months if the individual
10can document the successful completion of a substance abuse
11treatment program. An individual who has met the requirements
12of this subsection and reapplies for TANF benefits or SNAP
13benefits must also pass an initial drug test and meet the
14requirements of subsection (a). Any drug test conducted while
15the individual is undergoing substance abuse treatment must
16meet the requirements of subsection (a). The cost of any drug
17testing and substance abuse treatment provided under this
18Section shall be the responsibility of the individual being
19tested and receiving treatment. An individual who fails the
20drug test required under subsection (a) may reapply for
21benefits under this subsection (c) only once.
22    (d) If a parent is deemed ineligible for TANF benefits or
23SNAP benefits as a result of failing a drug test conducted
24under this Section:
25        (1) the dependent child's eligibility for TANF
26    benefits or SNAP benefits is not affected; and

 

 

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1        (2) the parent shall designate another individual to
2    receive benefits for the parent's minor child; the
3    designated individual must be an immediate family member
4    or, if an immediate family member is not available or the
5    family member declines the option, another individual,
6    approved by the Department, may be designated; the
7    designated individual must also undergo drug testing
8    before being approved to receive benefits on behalf of the
9    child; if the designated individual tests positive for
10    controlled substances, he or she is ineligible to receive
11    benefits on behalf of the child.
12    (e) The Department shall adopt rules to implement this
13Section.
 
14    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
152021.