Requiring drug testing and treatment for eligibility for certain work experience programs; requiring the Department of Health Services to request a waiver to screen and, if indicated, test and provide treatment to FoodShare employment and training participants for illegal use of a controlled substance; and making an appropriation. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) administers various work experience programs. The Transform Milwaukee Jobs program in Milwaukee County and the Transitional Jobs program outside of Milwaukee County provide work experience for unemployed individuals by providing a subsidy for wages and other employment expenses to employers that employ the individuals. Under the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program, DCF may provide job search assistance, placement in a subsidized job, or a stipend for up to four months to a noncustodial parent who would be eligible for W-2 except that he or she is not a custodial parent, if the noncustodial parent is subject to a child support order and the custodial parent of the noncustodial parent's child is a participant in W-2. Also under current law, DCF may contract with any county, tribal governing body, or W-2 agency to administer a work experience and job training program for noncustodial parents who have failed to pay child support due to unemployment or underemployment. Such individuals may be ordered by a court to register for a work experience and job training program.

This bill requires every individual who applies to participate in the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program or the Transitional Jobs program, who applies for W-2 services and benefits for noncustodial parents, or who applies for or is ordered by a court to register for a work experience and job training program (all four programs collectively, a program), to complete a questionnaire that screens for the abuse of a controlled substance. If, based on the answers to the questionnaire, DCF or the agency with which DCF has contracted to administer a program determines that there is a reasonable suspicion that an individual who is otherwise eligible for a program is abusing a controlled substance, the individual must undergo a test for the use of a controlled substance. If the test results are positive and the individual does not present satisfactory evidence that he or she has a valid prescription for the controlled substance, to remain eligible for a program the individual must participate in substance abuse treatment, the cost of which is paid by DCF. While the individual is undergoing treatment, he or she must submit to random testing for the use of a controlled substance, and the test results must be negative, or positive with evidence of a valid prescription, for the individual to remain eligible for a program. If any test results are positive and the individual does not have a valid prescription, the individual may begin treatment again one time and will remain eligible for a program as long as all test results are negative, or positive with a valid prescription. If the individual completes treatment and tests negative, or positive with a valid prescription, for the use of a controlled substance at the completion of treatment, he or she will have satisfactorily completed the substance abuse screening and testing and treatment requirements for the program.

Who's behind it

17 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 17 are Republicans.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DCF
• Fiscal Estimate From DHS

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories