Human Services, Dept. of

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how effectiveness will be measured or what specific information is required in the report.

Tennessee Drug Testing Report for TANF Applicants

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 1 about how well the drug testing program works for TANF applicants.
• The report must go to committees in both the Senate and House that deal with health issues.

Who It Names or Affects

• Tennessee Department of Human Services
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applicants
• Legislative committees dealing with health and welfare

Terms To Know

TANF

A program that gives money to families in need to help them buy food, clothes, and other basic needs.

Drug Testing Program

A process where people applying for TANF are tested to see if they use drugs.

Limits and Unknowns

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

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 727
By Hicks G

SENATE BILL 516
By Crowe

SB0516
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.