DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 55 Original 2020 Regular Session Mack
Abstract: Creates the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program Drug Testing and
Treatment Fund and provides for a refund checkoff on individual state income tax returns
for the fund.
Proposed law creates the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program Drug Testing and
Treatment Fund as a special fund in the treasury.
Proposed law provides that the source of monies for the fund are those appropriated annually by the
legislature including donations, gifts, grants, or any other monies which may be provided by law
including donations from the income tax checkoff as provided in proposed law.
Proposed law provides that the fund shall be used solely for the purpose of activities related to the
random drug testing of adult recipients of cash assistance and for any education or rehabilitation
programs required of recipients.
Proposed law further provides that the monies in the fund shall be allocated as follows:
(1)$250,000 shall be reserved in the fund and available for appropriation by the attorney general
for the purpose of defending lawsuits against the state relative to drug testing and treatment
of adult recipients of public assistance.
(2)Of the remaining monies in the fund, after the $250,000 reserve for the attorney general, 50%
shall be available for appropriation for the costs associated with random drug testing for
certain adult recipients of public assistance and 50% shall be available for appropriation for
any education or rehabilitation programs required of recipients randomly drug tested.
Proposed law provides for an individual income tax checkoff under which an individual can donate
a portion of his state income tax refund to the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program
Drug Testing and Treatment Fund.
Proposed law provides for the determination by the secretary of amounts of donations and for
corresponding deposits of money from general collections into the fund.
The provisions of the individual income tax checkoff are applicable to all taxable periods beginning
on and after Jan. 1, 2020. Effective if and when House Bill No. ___ of this 2020 Regular Session is enacted and becomes
effective.
(Adds R.S. 46:460.11 and R.S. 47:120.181)