AB 242

This bill makes changes to the existing substance abuse screening, testing, and

treatment requirements for certain work experience programs and expands the

requirement to additional work experience programs.

Under current law, every individual who applies to participate in certain work

experience programs administered by the Department of Children and Families is

required 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, the individual must participate in substance abuse treatment to remain

eligible for a program. 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.

This bill eliminates reference to the questionnaire for screening controlled

substance abuse and instead allows DCF to determine the appropriate mechanism

by which to screen applicants. The bill also exempts from the controlled substances

screening and testing requirements a custodial parent of a child who is eight weeks

old or less, a woman with a high-risk pregnancy, a Wisconsin Works (W-2)

participant who moves to an unsubsidized job and receives only case management

services, and a dependent child.

Under current law, the controlled substances screening and testing

requirements apply to an individual who applies for 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. This bill adds the following W-2 work

experience programs for custodial parents to the programs to which the screening

and testing requirements apply: the Temporary Employment Match program, which

provides a subsidy for wages to an individual's employer, and the Community Service

Jobs program and Transitional Placement program, both of which provide a

participant with a monthly grant. With respect to an individual applying for a W-2