Bills · HR 372
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 372Low- and moderate-income housingState and local government operations
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act
INTRO JAN 13· LAST ACTION FEB 20
READING
15MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it changes how fundamental safety net programs operate, potentially making it harder for some people to access vital assistance for food and housing. If this bill becomes law, states would have to invest resources in implementing and managing the new screening and testing requirements, which could lead to increased administrative costs. It also raises questions about privacy, the effectiveness of drug testing as a deterrent, and whether such policies genuinely help people overcome substance abuse or simply push them further into poverty.
If the bill does not become law, the eligibility rules for TANF and SNAP would remain as they are, without a federal requirement for drug screening or testing. This would leave states with more flexibility to decide their own welfare eligibility rules and avoid the administrative burden and potential legal challenges associated with mandatory drug testing.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires adult applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to undergo drug screening and potentially drug testing.
This makes drug-related behavior a direct eligibility factor for cash welfare, changing how states administer these benefits.
PROVISION 02
Requires adult applicants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to undergo drug screening and potentially drug testing.
This extends similar drug testing requirements to food assistance programs, affecting eligibility for millions.
PROVISION 03
Denies TANF benefits for a minimum of 12 months to individuals who fail a drug test, with a possible extension until treatment completion or a negative re-test.
This provision outlines the direct consequence for individuals who fail a drug test, potentially withholding essential aid for an extended period.
PROVISION 04
Imposes a 15% reduction in a state's federal TANF grant if the state substantially fails to comply with the new drug testing and screening requirements.
This creates a strong financial incentive for states to implement the drug testing rules, impacting state budgets and program administration.
PROVISION 05
Stipulates that states cannot require applicants to pay for the cost of drug testing or screening.
This ensures that the financial burden of testing does not fall directly on low-income applicants, but on state or federal budgets.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· North Carolina
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
30
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 20
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
JAN 13
Introduced in House
JAN 13
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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 372
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 13, 2025
Last actionFeb 20, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 13, 2025
House BillHR 372Low- and moderate-income housingState and local government operations
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act
INTRODUCED JAN 13, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 20, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
15 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
