§ 71-3-1202 — Implementation of program of suspicion-based drug testing for applicants to TANF

Tennessee § 71-3-1202

• Jurisdiction: Tennessee
• Title: 71

Text

(a) The department of human services shall develop a plan to implement a program of suspicion-based drug testing for each applicant who is otherwise eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), or its successor program. (b) (1) Dependent children under eighteen (18) years of age are exempt from the drug testing requirement pursuant to this part; provided, however, that any minor parent who is an applicant for TANF benefits who does not live with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult caretaker relative must comply with the drug testing requirements of this part. (2) In a two-parent household, only one (1) parent shall be required to undergo a drug test. (c) The implementation shall occur in phases over a two-year period. The department shall report on the status of the implementation to the health and welfare committee of the senate and the health committee of the house of representatives. The status reports shall be sent to the chairs of each committee quarterly beginning October 1, 2012, during the implementation period. (d) (1) The department shall consult with substance abuse treatment experts, as determined by the commissioner of human services, and shall develop appropriate screening techniques and processes that will establish reasonable cause that an applicant for TANF is using a drug as defined by this part and that can be used to establish the necessary criteria to permit the department to require the applicant to undergo a urine-based five (5) panel drug test to be conducted by a drug testing agency. (2) The applicant may inform the drug testing agency administering the test of any prescription or over-the-counter medication the person is taking. No drug for which an applicant has a current valid prescription shall be a basis for denial of TANF benefits pursuant to this part. (3) Following an initial positive drug test, the applicant shall undergo a confirmation test using the same urine sample from the initial positive test prior to determination of TANF eligibility. The results of the confirmation test shall be used to determine final eligibility for TANF benefits. (e) The department shall identify and select a screening tool such as the substance abuse subtle screening inventory (SASSI) or such other screening techniques as part of the development of the screening technique that will be employed for this program. (f) (1) The department shall develop a plan for funding of the costs of the screening process, the urine-based drug testing process, any personnel and information systems modification costs, and any other costs associated with the development and implementation of the testing process. (2) The plan shall provide for funding from existing TANF or other funding available to the department, from appropriations requested by the department or from any combination of sources. (g) The department shall develop a plan for any modification of its information systems necessary to properly track and report on the status of applicants who are screened and who must undergo testing as required by this part, including a detailed analysis of costs for systems analysis, programming and testing of modifications and implementation dates for completion of the modifications. (h) The drug testing plan shall require, at a minimum, the following: (1) That the department shall establish a referral process for any applicant who tests positive to be referred to an appropriate treatment resource for drug abuse treatment or other resource by the department for an appropriate treatment period as determined by the department. The plan shall require evidence of ongoing compliance during the treatment period. If the applicant is otherwise eligible during the treatment period, the applicant shall receive TANF benefits during the treatment period no longer than six (6) months; (2) That refusal of an applicant who tests positive to enter a treatment plan or failure to complete the treatment plan shall result in ineligibility for TANF benefits for six (6) months; (3) That at the conclusion of the treatment period the applicant shall be tested again using the urine-based five (5) panel drug test, and the plan shall require that upon retesting, if the applicant tests positive for the use of drugs that is validated by a confirmation test, the applicant shall be ineligible for TANF benefits for six (6) months; (4) That if the person tests positive for drugs in a subsequent drug test after the six (6) months disqualification period that person shall be ineligible to receive TANF benefits for one (1) year from the date of the positive confirmation drug test; (5) That if a caretaker relative is deemed ineligible for TANF benefits as a result of failing a drug test, the dependent child's eligibility for TANF benefits is not affected, and an appropriate protective payee shall be designated to receive TANF benefits on behalf of the child who is under sixteen (16) years of age.

Legislative History

Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 236, s 60, eff. 4/19/2013. Acts 2012, ch. 1079, § 3.