LegalFix

§ 43-17-6. Written screening questionnaire for certain adult applicants for TANF benefits; purpose; drug test; substance use disorder treatment plan; termination of cash assistance

MS Code § 43-17-6 (2019) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Adult” means a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.

(b) “Department” means the Department of Human Services.

(c) “Drug” means a controlled substance, as defined in Section 41-29-105, for which a person does not have a valid prescription.

(d) “Drug test” means a chemical test administered for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a drug or metabolites in a person’s body fluids.

(2) Adult applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits in the assistance unit who otherwise qualify for cash assistance under the TANF program shall be required to complete a written screening questionnaire designed to determine the likelihood of the person having a substance use disorder.

(3) If the results of the written screening questionnaire indicate a reasonable likelihood that an adult recipient may have a substance use disorder involving the misuse of a drug, the department shall require the person to submit to a drug test at the department’s expense in order to continue to receive cash assistance under the TANF program.

(4) If an adult recipient refuses to take the required drug test, the department shall terminate cash assistance for the person and the person may not reapply for cash assistance for:

(a) Ninety (90) days after a first refusal to take a drug test within one (1) year; or

(b) One (1) year after a second refusal to take a drug test within one (1) year.

(5) A drug test shall be administered with due regard to the privacy and dignity of the person being tested.

(6) Before taking a drug test, an adult recipient may advise the person administering the test regarding any prescription or over-the-counter medication that the person is taking.

(7) The result of a drug test is a private record and disclosure to a third party is prohibited.

(8) If an adult recipient tests negative for the unlawful use of a drug after taking a drug test, the person remains eligible for cash assistance, subject to the other TANF eligibility requirements.

(9) If an adult recipient tests positive for the unlawful use of a drug after taking a drug test, the person:

(a) Shall be given a list of approved substance use disorder treatment providers that are available in the area in which the person resides; and

(b) May continue to receive benefits if the person enters into and follows the requirements of a substance use disorder treatment plan, including:

(i) Receiving treatment from an approved substance use disorder treatment provider for at least sixty (60) days;

(ii) Testing negative for the unlawful use of a drug:

1. In each later drug test required by department rule during treatment; and

2. In an additional drug test given at the conclusion of treatment; and

(iii) Meeting the other TANF requirements for receiving cash assistance.

(10) If an adult recipient declines to enter into a substance use disorder treatment plan, or if the recipient enters into but fails to meet a requirement of a substance use disorder treatment plan, including if the person refuses to take a drug test required by a substance use disorder treatment plan or tests positive for the unlawful use of a drug in a drug test required by a substance use disorder treatment plan, the department shall terminate cash assistance for the person and the person may not reapply for cash assistance for:

(a) Ninety (90) days after the day on which the department determines that the person is no longer eligible for cash assistance; or

(b) One (1) year after the day on which the department determines that the person is no longer eligible for cash assistance, if the department has previously determined on at least one (1) other occasion in the past year that the person is no longer eligible for cash assistance.

LegalFix

Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.

LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.

The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.

You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.

The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.

Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

We have updated our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures.
§ 43-17-6. Written screening questionnaire for certain adult applicants for TANF benefits; purpose; drug test; substance use disorder treatment plan; termination of cash assistance