Bill Text: VA SB204 | 2018 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: TANF; eligibility, person who refuses to participate in periodic drug testing, drug-related felony.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-31 - Failed to report (defeated) in Finance (7-Y 8-N) [SB204 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SB204-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1 as follows:
§63.2-607.1. Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies.
A person who is otherwise eligible to receive TANF assistance shall be exempt from the application of §115(a)(1) of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and shall not be denied such assistance solely because he has been convicted of a first-time felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in violation of §18.2-250, provided that such person complies with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court and the Department, is actively engaged in or has completed a substance abuse treatment program, and participates in periodic drug screenings. A person who fails or refuses to participate in periodic drug testing or who tests positive for the use of illegal substances shall be ineligible to receive TANF benefits for a period of 12 months; however, such person shall have one opportunity to comply with the testing requirement and be reinstated to eligibility for TANF benefits during the 12-month period following the date of his failure or refusal to participate in a drug test or his testing positive for the use of illegal substances.
