ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: APPROP DP 8-5-0-0

HB 2849: human services; 2022-2023

Sponsor: Representative Cobb (with permission of committee on Rules), LD 5

Caucus & COW

Overview

Contains session law provisions relating to human services needed to implement the FY 2023 budget.

History

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant is used to: 1) Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in homes of relatives; 2) End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; 3) Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and 4) Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families (42 U.S.C. 601). The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) utilizes TANF funding to provide temporary financial assistance to dependent children in their own homes or in the homes of responsible caretaker individuals.

According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the FY 2023 Baseline Book continues a provision allowing DES to drug test TANF recipients if there is a reasonable suspicion that they are using illegal drugs. This provision was included in the FY 2022 Health Budget Reconciliation Bill (Laws 409, Chapter 409).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAs session law, requires DES to screen and test each adult recipient who is eligible for TANF cash benefits and who DES has reasonable cause to believe engages in the illegal use of controlled substances. (Sec. 1)

2.   As session law, specifies that any TANF recipient who tests positive for the use of a controlled substance that was not prescribed for the recipient by a licensed health care provider is ineligible to receive benefits for a period of one year. (Sec. 1)

3.    

4.    

5.   ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

6.                     HB 2849

7.   Initials AG Page 0 Caucus & COW

8.    

9.   ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------