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Bill

A 1998

Requires recipients of public assistance benefits submit to pre-qualification drug screening and testing, random drug testing, reasonable suspicion drug testing and resumption of benefits drug testing

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Bendett and 1 co-sponsor

Requires multi-stage drug testing for public assistance recipients, pre-qualification, random, reasonable-suspicion, and resume testing, risking benefit denial.

REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
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Bill Summary · A 1998

Summary of New York Assembly Bill A 1998 (Introduced January 14, 2025)

Overview

A 1998 would require recipients of public assistance benefits to undergo multiple forms of drug testing as a condition of eligibility and benefit continuation. The bill directs testing at several stages—before qualification, on an ongoing basis through random testing, upon reasonable suspicion, and when benefits are resumed after a period of suspension. The proposal is currently in the Social Services committee stage.

Purpose and Intent

  • To impose drug screening and testing requirements on recipients of public assistance benefits.
  • To administer testing at key points in the assistance process (pre-qualification, random intervals, suspected-use determinations, and upon resume of benefits).

Key Provisions (as described in available material)

  • Pre-qualification drug screening and testing: Recipients would be required to submit to drug tests as part of eligibility determination for public assistance.
  • Random drug testing: Recipients would be subject to drug tests at unspecified random intervals.
  • Reasonable suspicion drug testing: If there is reasonable suspicion of drug use, recipients would be required to test.
  • Resumption of benefits drug testing: After benefits have been suspended or terminated, recipients seeking to resume benefits would need to undergo testing.
  • The bill’s text would define who administers tests, what substances are tested for, consequences of positive results, exemptions, and funding/costs; however, those details are not provided in the summary you supplied.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Recipients of public assistance benefits within the program covered by the bill (the bill does not specify which programs, but “public assistance benefits” typically refers to aid administered by the state for welfare, housing assistance, food assistance, etc.).
  • Household members or dependents could be indirectly affected by changes in household eligibility or benefit levels, depending on how the testing provisions interact with program rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025.
  • Current status: Referred to the Social Services committee (listed twice in the legislative actions, indicating potential clerical repetition in the record).
  • Sponsorship: Primary sponsor David DiPietro; cosponsor Scott H. Bendett.
  • Related bills from prior sessions (A 3676, A 6146, A 4753, A 5170, A 4401, A 6043) suggest a pattern of similar welfare-drug-testing proposals in earlier years.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Policy Impact: Creates a multi-stage drug-testing regime for public assistance recipients, with potential disqualification or benefit interruption for positive tests (subject to the bill’s specific provisions).
  • Administrative Considerations: Requires infrastructure for administering tests, handling specimens, processing results, and enforcing consequences; may involve costs to the state and to recipients.
  • Economic and Social Effects: Could affect eligibility continuity, household income stability, and access to essential needs; potential downstream effects on program participation and poverty relief.
  • Legal and Privacy Implications: Raises civil liberties concerns and privacy protections for individuals undergoing testing; potential need for due process and appeal mechanisms.
  • Financial Implications: Unclear from the summary; the bill would likely address who bears testing costs and how tests are funded.

Additional Notes

  • For a complete understanding, readers should review the full text of the bill, committee reports, and any fiscal notes that accompany later versions. The related prior-session bills may provide context on similar policy objectives and potential compromises or amendments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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