Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2627

Introduced
1/30/24  
Refer
1/30/24  
Report Pass
2/13/24  
Refer
2/23/24  
Refer
2/28/24  

Caption

Organizing requirements for public assistance program sections within the statute.

Impact

The implications of HB 2627 are significant, especially for individuals undergoing challenges related to substance abuse. The bill mandates that cash assistance applicants and recipients who test positive for unlawful substance use must complete a substance abuse treatment program and a job skills program as a condition of continued assistance. This creates a potential barrier for vulnerable populations, including those already facing difficulties, suggesting that the state's approach may lead to increased hardship for some families in need. The legislation also emphasizes the need for employment and engagement in vocational training, further intertwining the issues of public assistance and employability.

Summary

House Bill 2627 focuses on reforming the state's public assistance programs, particularly regarding cash assistance and the criteria for eligibility. The bill aims to reorganize sections of the public assistance statutes, updating cross-references, while tightening restrictions on individuals with felony drug convictions. Under this legislation, first-time offenders with certain convictions will face a five-year ban from receiving cash assistance, and those with subsequent offenses may be permanently ineligible. The bill reflects a move toward stricter eligibility standards that consider an individual's criminal history in determining access to state aid programs.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2627 involve the balance between prevention of fraud and ensuring aid for those in need. Critics may argue that the stringent drug testing and eligibility requirements disproportionately affect marginalized communities, as individuals with a history of substance use may face additional obstacles to receiving necessary support. Proponents of the bill argue it is necessary to safeguard state resources against misuse and encourage personal responsibility. The ongoing discourse reflects differing views on the role of state assistance in supporting rather than penalizing citizens during their economic hardships.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2027

Reorganizing subsections of the public assistance statute.

KS HB2731

Requiring the department of health and environment in coordination with the Kansas department for aging and disability services to seek federal approval to establish continuous medicaid eligibility for certain individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are receiving services through a home and community based services waiver, requiring the secretary for children and families and the secretary of health and environment to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance, directing the department of health and environment to submit certain data to the centers for medicare and medicaid services, prohibiting certain public assistance program waivers or exemptions without legislative approval, prohibiting self-attestation for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance programs, limiting retroactive enrollment in the medical assistance program, increasing the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents and prohibiting certain exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program.

KS SB363

Requiring the department of health and environment (KDHE) to seek federal approval for continuous medicaid eligibility for certain individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities receiving services through a home and community based services waiver, directing state agencies to report to certain legislative committees on Kansans losing public assistance program eligibility, requiring the Kansas department for children and families and KDHE to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance and KDHE to submit certain data to the centers for medicare and medicaid services, prohibiting certain public assistance waivers or exemptions without legislative approval and self-attestation for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance, requiring quarterly eligibility redeterminations for medical assistance and providing exceptions for certain individuals, limiting retroactive enrollment in medical assistance, immediately terminating eligibility for medical assistance upon confirmation of death of the enrollee, increasing the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents and prohibiting certain exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program.

KS SB79

Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

KS HB2015

Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

KS HB2287

Eliminating certain restrictions for eligibility for public assistance, including removing the requirement to cooperate with child support services, restrictions on persons convicted of drug felonies, requirements for employment and training programs, photograph requirements for benefits cards and legislative action required for expansion of medical assistance, permitting the secretary from granting categorical eligibility standards, extending the lifetime limitation on benefits, providing for hardship extensions and exempting parents providing care for a child less than one year of age.

KS HB2360

Directing the secretary for children and families to review and compare data for public assistance program eligibility.

KS SB85

Directing the secretary for children and families to review and compare data for public assistance program eligibility.

KS HB2178

Allowing persons with felony drug convictions to receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

KS SB158

Allowing persons with felony drug convictions to receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.