Bill
Bill > HB129
MS HB129
MS HB129TANF benefits; remove certain restrictions and penalties for applicants and recipients.
summary
Introduced
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Amend Section 43-17-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Increase The Maximum Income And Resources Limits For Eligibility For Tanf Benefits; To Delete The Family Cap On The Receipt Of Tanf Benefits; To Delete The Mandatory Up-front Job Search For Tanf Applicants; To Delete The Requirement To Be In Compliance With The Drug Testing And Substance Use Disorder Treatment Requirements In Order To Receive Tanf Benefits; To Remove The Full Family Sanction For Refusal Of An Adult Or Caretaker Relative To Participate In Allowable Work Activity And Have The Sanction Apply Only To That Person; To Delete The Sanction For Permanent Disqualification For Tanf Benefits; To Provide That The Work Requirements For Tanf Recipients Shall Not Apply To Those Recipients Who Reside In Areas That Have A High Unemployment Rate Or Do Not Have A Sufficient Number Of Jobs To Provide Employment, And Shall Not Apply To Any Tanf Recipients During A Formal State Or Federal Declaration Of A Natural Disaster Or State Of Emergency; To Amend Section 43-12-35, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform The Sanction Provisions To Those In The Preceding Section; To Repeal Section 43-12-27, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides For A Family Cap On The Receipt Of Tanf Benefits; To Repeal Section 43-17-6, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Requires Applicants For And Recipients Of Tanf Benefits To Be Screened And Tested For Certain Drugs And Receive Treatment For Substance Use Disorders; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill aims to reform the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Mississippi by removing several restrictions and penalties for applicants and recipients. Key changes include increasing the income and resource limits for eligibility, eliminating the "family cap" which limited benefits for additional children born to families already receiving TANF, and removing the mandatory upfront job search requirement for new applicants. It also repeals the requirement for drug testing and substance use disorder treatment for TANF recipients. Furthermore, the bill modifies sanctions for not participating in work activities, ensuring that penalties apply only to the non-compliant adult rather than the entire family, and it removes the penalty of permanent disqualification from the program. Additionally, work requirements will not apply to TANF recipients living in areas with high unemployment or insufficient job opportunities, nor during declared natural disasters or states of emergency. These changes are intended to make the TANF program more accessible and less punitive for families in need.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0129.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/0100-0199/HB0129IN.htm |
Loading...