SB63 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Co-Sponsors

J.T. WaggonerBill HightowerTom WhatleyRusty GloverDel MarshGreg J. ReedArthur OrrJerry L. FieldingJimmy HolleyClay ScofieldPhillip W. WilliamsCam WardGerald H. AllenGerald O. DialScott Beason

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Human Resources Department, public assistance, drug testing for applicants and recipients required upon reasonable suspicion, ineligibility under certain conditions, department to implement, rulemaking authority

Summary

SB63 would require the Department of Human Resources to drug-test adults applying for TANF and certain TANF recipients, with penalties and procedures for positive tests and for how benefits are handled for families.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Human Resources would implement a drug-screening program for any adult applying for TANF and for certain recipients when there is reasonable suspicion of drug use. The department would pay the initial screening cost; if negative, the department would reimburse the applicant; if positive and no valid prescription, the person would receive a warning and subsequent testing consequences. Refusing or delaying a screening makes the person ineligible for TANF; a second positive test would make them ineligible for one year; a third positive would make them permanently ineligible; there is a limit of two additional screenings per calendar year. If a parent is permanently ineligible, the child’s and family members’ benefits can be paid to a protective payee or another approved recipient; results are not used in criminal cases but can be used in administrative hearings; the department would issue rules, with an effective date of October 1, 2015 and sunset on September 30, 2017.

Who It Affects

• Adults applying for TANF benefits would be screened for drugs; they must disclose any drug convictions on the TANF application, and the department would pay the initial test cost.
• Current TANF recipients and their families would be subject to drug screening upon reasonable suspicion; if a parent becomes permanently ineligible, a protective payee or another approved recipient would receive the child’s and family members’ TANF benefits.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'drug' to include a list of controlled substances and illegal drugs, and defines 'drug screening' as lab analysis to detect drugs or their metabolites.
• The Department of Human Resources shall implement and administer a drug screening program for adults applying for TANF and for certain recipients upon reasonable suspicion of drug use.
• Applicants must disclose, under penalty of perjury, any drug-related criminal convictions on their TANF application.
• The initial drug screening cost is paid by the department; subsequent screenings are paid by the tested person; the department reimburses the cost if the test is negative.
• Refusal to take a drug screening or delaying beyond the set time makes the applicant ineligible for TANF; a second positive test leads to one-year ineligibility; a third positive leads to permanent ineligibility; no more than two additional screenings per year.
• Drug screening results are not admissible in criminal prosecutions but are admissible in department administrative hearings and related judicial reviews.
• The department must provide notice of potential drug screening to applicants and obtain a written acknowledgment that the notice was received and understood.
• If a parent is permanently ineligible, a protective payee or another approved person may receive TANF benefits for the child and family members; designation requirements are specified.
• The commissioner shall promulgate rules to implement the act; the act is temporary, effective October 1, 2015, and terminates September 30, 2017.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Human Resources Department