HB2968

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Constitution prohibits substantive law from being included in the general appropriations, capital outlay appropriations and supplemental appropriations bills. However, it is often necessary to make statutory and session law changes to effectuate the budget.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Makes session law changes relating to human services necessary to implement the FY 2026 state budget.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for human services into an enforceable rule. It would continues to require the Department of Economic Security (DES) in FY 2026 to screen and test each adult recipient who: a) is eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits; and b) DES has reasonable cause to believe engages in the illegal use of controlled substances, and would also continues to render any TANF recipient who tests positive for the use of a controlled substance that was not prescribed for the recipient by a licensed health care provider as ineligible to receive TANF benefits for a period of one year, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.