HB 129

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM INCOME AND RESOURCES LIMITS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR TANF BENEFITS; TO DELETE THE FAMILY CAP ON THE RECEIPT OF TANF BENEFITS; TO DELETE THE MANDATORY UP-FRONT JOB SEARCH FOR TANF APPLICANTS; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DRUG TESTING AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE TANF BENEFITS; TO REMOVE THE FULL FAMILY SANCTION FOR REFUSAL OF AN ADULT OR CARETAKER RELATIVE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALLOWABLE WORK ACTIVITY AND HAVE THE SANCTION APPLY ONLY TO THAT PERSON; TO DELETE THE SANCTION FOR PERMANENT DISQUALIFICATION FOR TANF BENEFITS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR TANF RECIPIENTS SHALL NOT APPLY TO THOSE RECIPIENTS WHO RESIDE IN AREAS THAT HAVE A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OR DO NOT HAVE A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF JOBS TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT, AND SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY TANF RECIPIENTS DURING A FORMAL STATE OR FEDERAL DECLARATION OF A NATURAL DISASTER OR STATE OF EMERGENCY; TO AMEND SECTION 43-12-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE SANCTION PROVISIONS TO THOSE IN THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-12-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR A FAMILY CAP ON THE RECEIPT OF TANF BENEFITS; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-17-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES APPLICANTS FOR AND RECIPIENTS OF TANF BENEFITS TO BE SCREENED AND TESTED FOR CERTAIN DRUGS AND RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.