ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: APPROP DP 11-6-0-2

HB 2968: human services; FY2026

Sponsor: Representative Livingston (with permission of committee on Rules), LD 28

House Engrossed

Overview

Contains session law provisions relating to human services needed to implement the FY 2026 budget.

History

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The 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 FY 2025 Appropriations Report, produced by the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), the FY 2025 budget continued the provision that allows DES to drug test TANF recipients if there is a reasonable suspicion that they are using illegal drugs (Laws 2024, Chapter 217).

Provisions

1. Continues, as session law, 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. Continues, as session law, to deem a TANF recipient ineligible for TANF benefits for one year if the recipient tests positive for the use of a controlled substance that was not prescribed by a licensed health care provider. (Sec. 1)

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6. HB 2968

7. Initials AG Page 0 House Engrossed

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