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Drug Test For Government Benefits Bills Advance
April 14, 2011
Recipients of temporary financial assistance from the government would have to test negative on drug tests, which they would have to pay for, before collecting their checks under a measure that passed two legislative committees on Wednesday.
Both measures would cost recipients from $10 to $70 per test when they apply for temporary assistance checks of up to $300 a month.
The House version, sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, was approved Wednesday by the Health and Human Services Committee on a party line vote following brief debate. The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services approved that chamber’s version on a 5-2 vote.
Backers say the proposal would help ensure tax dollars are not being spent to sustain a drug or alcohol addiction while sending a “tough love” message to abusers to get help.
“At the end of the day, I want to help people who want to help themselves,” said Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah. “It’s only fair to me and my family, who are investing in this state, to make sure this goes to people who really need it. ”
Citing studies showing the degree of drug use among welfare recipients is not significantly higher than that of the general population, critics say the proposal sets unnecessary barriers to getting help for low income families who can least afford it.
“We don’t support illicit behaviors,” said Michael Sheedy, associate director for health at the Florida Catholic Conference. “But to apply this policy without offering a safety net … is not what we need to be doing at this time.”
Both bills would require recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, to undergo a drug test for controlled substances before being allowed to collect money.
Recipients who test positive for drugs would be ineligible for TANF payments for a year. A second failed test would result in a three years suspension of benefits.
Recipients who complete drug treatment could receive assistance after a six month period. Children would be allowed to continue receiving benefits, with assistance checks being sent to guardians who likewise test negative.
“To be giving these people $300 a month when they have a $25 a day crack habit, the money is not going to get to the family,” said Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda. “We’re doing nothing but pouring gasoline on an already existing fire.”
Opponents pointed to a study by Florida State University that found such testing programs weren’t cost effective, in part because so few people tested positive.
Further, the loss of temporary assistance to families already under stress will do little to help, said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
“The unintended consequences are going to rip families apart,” Pafford said.
By Michael Peltier
The New Service of Florida
Comments
11 Responses to “Drug Test For Government Benefits Bills Advance”
Can’t they just drug test without paying up front, then after failing, bill them somehow? Or take it out of their first check once they’re clean? Some families can’t afford 10.00 much less 70.00 for a drug test to get some money to support their family.
I for one think EVERYONE on welfare should be tested for drugs. It pisses me off to see some driving a new Lexus and Cadillacs, and sitting up at DCF to get assistants.
??? said….”Glad they’re testing but they should also test for the people on any kind of government assistance…”
I agree with the conservative position on this.
Drugs are illegal. Everyone should be tested. Anyone who breaks the law should be imprisoned. The third time they fail a test, they should be killed. Slowly.
Finally , some common sense in government. I think they should go one step farther and require a hair sample for the test,.Everyone knows how to beat the urine test. Not only is this a good idea for this segment of our society but everyone up to the Governors staff that is on the state payroll should be subjected to a random test.
This bill is intended for one purpose. That is to assure that hard working Floridians are not paying hardship money to those using illicit drugs. As others have said, this bill should cover ANY type of government assistance including food stamps, Section 8 housing, wic or welfare. Arguements against the bill are made by those that seek the votes of these un-fortunate souls.
Glad they’re testing but they should also test for the people on any kind of government assistance…
Just saying is right about the oversight on the aid for the children.
We all know parents that would just go ahead and hand the money over
to their child, even tho it is meant for the grandchild. We all know parents
who never believe their child does anything wrong.
McDavid resident,
That is true for SOME of those “needy” families but not for most.
To “just sayin”
You’d be surprised how fast some financially needy family or single patent can come up with $10 for some stuff other than a drug test kit.
From what I’ve heard of crack addiction, they spend a lot more than $25 a day.
As long as the state is paying for the tests i’m fine with it
What about those families who will receive MORE than $300 a month? Will they NOT be tested? That makes no sense.
I don’t care if they test BUT (and that’s a really big one) if the people really need the assistance, they don’t have the money to pay for the test, so it’s not going to help the people who really need it. If you’ve got the money to pay for the test, you don’t need the help. It should be paid for by the government as long as they test clean. If they test dirty, by all means, make them pay for the test and ban them.
I am glad to see that they said that they will send the children’s benefits to someone else to make sure the kids are taken care of, but how do they know that the guardian doesn’t just hand the money over to the druggie? It needs a little more oversight.