PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 13, 2015
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act
This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to:
subject individuals to criminal background checks for drug-related offenses as well as substance abuse screening, and
deny TANF assistance for an individual who tests positive for a controlled substance.
The Department of Health and Human Services is required to reduce by 15% of the state TANF grant if a state has substantially failed to condition benefits on passing drug testing or screening.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 are amended to set forth analogous drug testing and screening requirements under the supplemental nutrition assistance program and public housing and "Section 8" rental assistance programs.
People & committees
Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7] · R–NC
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5187)
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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