LB940 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a drug testing program to screen applicants and recipients of cash assistance benefits under the Welfare Reform Act. If an applicant or recipient is declared ineligible for benefits, he or she would be referred to a substance abuse treatment program by the Department of Health and Human Services – Division of Behavioral Health. He or she would also be ineligible for cash assistance benefits for one year.

Indefinitely postponed April 14, 2010.

• Health and Human Services

• No amendments of concern

• No additional documents

• No action alerts are associated with this legislation.

Voices for Children opposes LB940. Statement: We believe it will harm, not help, families in already desperate conditions. Eliminating a parent’s ability to receive cash assistance will harm the vulnerable children in the household. We also oppose LB940 because by eliminating eligilibity for benefits, an applicant or recipient would lose his/her access to Medicaid—thus rendering them unable to afford any substance abuse treatment for which they were referred. The public policy goal of cash assistance is to transition to economic self-sufficiency and paid employment. LB940 will push already struggling families further from resources that may help them get back on track.