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HB0727 • 2026

Human Services, Dept. of

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 53; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to temporary assistance for needy families.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Hicks G, Crowe
Last action
2025-02-06
Official status
P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details on which titles are amended or what information must be included in the report.

Annual Reporting for TANF Drug Testing Program

This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Human Services to report annually on the effectiveness of drug testing for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applicants.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the department to send a yearly report by December 1st about how well the TANF drug testing program works.
  • The report must go to legislative committees that deal with health and human services issues.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tennessee Department of Human Services
  • Legislative committees dealing with health and human services

Terms To Know

TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a program that gives money to families in need.
Drug Testing Program
A program where people who apply for TANF are tested to see if they use drugs.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what information must be included in the annual report.
  • It is unclear how the effectiveness of the drug testing program will be measured.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  2. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  3. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  4. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  5. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  6. 2025-01-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 516
By Crowe

HOUSE BILL 727
By Hicks G

HB0727
001760
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 53;
Title 68 and Title 71, relative to temporary
assistance for needy families.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-3-1203, is amended by adding
the following to the end of the section:
The department shall report on the effectiveness of the drug testing program to such
committees of the senate and the house of representatives by December 1 of each year.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.