Bill Text: NJ A3258 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides for drug testing of certain recipients of Work First New Jersey program benefits.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-05-22 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [A3258 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A3258-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Provides for drug testing of certain recipients of Work First New Jersey program benefits.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the Work First New Jersey program and supplementing P.L.1997, c.14 (C.44:10-44 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The use of random drug testing for adult recipients of benefits under the Work First New Jersey program, and the enrollment of those individuals who have a substance abuse problem in an approved treatment program, will enhance the efforts of this State to assist families in need of both economic and social supports to improve their condition and remove barriers to employment and the achievement of economic self-sufficiency;
b. These measures will conduce to the safety of children of drug-addicted parents who are at risk for suffering child abuse and neglect and are more likely to abuse drugs than children in other households; and
c. This bill will fulfill the State's responsibility to assist those persons who are facing drug-related barriers to employment as part of its effort to strengthen families and help everyone who is able to work to find a job and develop the economic and social skills to be a productive member of society.
2. a. An adult recipient of benefits under the Work First New Jersey program, on or after the effective date of this act, shall be subject to random drug testing in a manner to be prescribed by regulation of the Commissioner of Human Services.
b. The program shall assume the cost of the testing.
c. A person's eligibility for benefits under the Work First New Jersey program or any other program of public assistance shall not be dependent upon the results of the testing; however, based upon those results, the commissioner may condition eligibility for benefits under the Work First New Jersey program upon the person's completion of a drug treatment program approved by the commissioner.
3. The Commissioner of Human Services, as soon as is practicable after the date of enactment of this act, shall apply for any federal waivers that the commissioner determines are required to implement the provisions of this act.
4. The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
5. This act shall take effect on the first day of the tenth month next following the date of enactment, except that section 3 of this act shall take effect immediately; but the Commissioner of Human Services may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill provides for random drug testing of adult recipients of Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) program benefits. Under the provisions of the bill, an adult recipient of WFNJ benefits, on or after the effective date of the bill, will be subject to random drug testing in a manner to be prescribed by regulation of the Commissioner of Human Services. The WFNJ program is to assume the cost of the testing.
Additionally, a person's eligibility for benefits under this or any other program of public assistance will not be dependent upon the results of the testing; however, based upon those results, the commissioner may condition eligibility for WFNJ benefits upon the person's completion of a drug treatment program approved by the commissioner.
The bill provides that the commissioner, as soon as practicable after enactment of the bill, is to apply for any federal waivers that the commissioner determines are required for implementation.
The bill takes effect on the first day of the 10th month following the date of enactment, except for the provision that requires the commissioner to seek federal waivers. The commissioner is authorized to take administrative action in advance as necessary for implementation.
