Bill Text: VA HB249 | 2012 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: VIEW; substance abuse screening and assessment of public assistance applicants and recipients.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-14 - House: Left in Health, Welfare and Institutions [HB249 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-HB249-Prefiled.html
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12102550D Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-608.1 as follows: §63.2-608.1. Eligibility for VIEW; screening and assessment for use of illegal substances. As a condition of participation in VIEW, the local director shall cause each participant to be screened to determine whether probable cause exists to believe the participant is engaged in the use of illegal substances. The screening shall utilize a standardized screening instrument developed by the Department together with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Screenings shall be performed by a representative of the local department of social services at the time of the initial VIEW assessment and periodically thereafter but not more frequently than every six months. If a screening indicates that there is a reason to believe that the VIEW participant is engaged in the use of illegal substances, the Department shall require a formal substance abuse assessment, which may include drug testing to be performed by a substance abuse treatment practitioner licensed by the Department of Health Professions. Any person who fails or refuses to participate in a screening or assessment without good cause or who tests positive for the use of illegal substances shall be ineligible to receive TANF payments pursuant to this chapter unless he enters into and maintains full compliance in a drug treatment program. Other members of a household that includes a person who has failed or refused to participate in a screening or assessment or who has tested positive for the use of illegal substances, if otherwise eligible, shall receive TANF payments pursuant to this chapter as protective or vendor payments to a third party payee for the benefit of the members of the household. Persons deemed ineligible for TANF assistance because of a failure or refusal to participate in a screening or assessment or for testing positive for the use of illegal substances shall be ineligible to receive TANF assistance for a period of 12 months. |
