The bill amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 39-709 to refine eligibility requirements for assistance programs funded by federal moneys in Kansas. It specifies that financial responsibility will only be assessed for spouses, cohabiting partners, and minor children, and introduces provisions for the treatment of motor vehicles in eligibility determinations, allowing one vehicle to be exempt while others may be considered nonexempt unless used for income generation. The bill also outlines requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), including work registration for both partners in a household, penalties for non-cooperation, and restrictions on food assistance for individuals convicted of certain felonies. Additionally, it mandates the inclusion of recipient photographs on benefits cards for identification purposes.

Moreover, the bill emphasizes the verification of eligibility through electronic checks and establishes strict work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents under the food assistance program. It introduces drug screening for individuals receiving cash assistance on behalf of minor children, allowing for testing based on reasonable suspicion, with consequences for positive results. Individuals convicted of specific felony offenses related to controlled substances will face restrictions on receiving cash assistance, with varying ineligibility periods based on the number of offenses. The bill also grants the Secretary for Children and Families authority to implement necessary regulations and repeals K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 39-709, indicating a significant overhaul of the legal framework surrounding cash assistance and drug screening.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 39-709, 21-5701