Financial Assistance Drug Test Bill Passes House

April 27, 2011

People who test positive for illegal drugs would be prevented from collecting temporary financial assistance from the state under a measure approved Tuesday by the Florida House.

By a 78-38 vote, the House approved a measure (HB 353) that backers say would help ensure that tax dollars are spent to feed families and not the addictions of drug abusers receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a program administered by the state that provides up to $300 a month in federal money for up to 48 months to low income residents.

“This money is taxpayers’ money that is supposed to go to take care of our families,” said Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, a freshman and sponsor of the bill. The proposal prompted a series of questions from Democrats skeptical over the science behind the policy and whether such testing would violate Florida’s constitutional right to privacy

Comments

17 Responses to “Financial Assistance Drug Test Bill Passes House”

  1. nothing to hide on May 11th, 2011 7:56 am

    Violating privacy??? How do you figure that???
    With all the info they require of you to get the help, about the only thing they don’t ask is how often you use the bathroom!!!!

    I am more than willing to take the test to be able to continue getting what benefits we do get, untli my husband’s disability comes through…if we didn’t truly need it, we wouldn’t be on it~and as soon as we can, we’ll be off of it!

  2. David Huie Green on April 29th, 2011 4:54 pm

    REGARDING:
    “those who is affected by this law can still vote and you law makers just lost your jobs on next election, and it’s time for this law to be over turned. Remember the 4th ammen”

    AMENDMENT 4 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS:
    “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

    Whether it’s a good law or a bad law, you’d have to twist things to say it violates the Fourth Amendment. Nobody’s required to be tested. Those wishing to receive money from the People will not receive it without the test, but nobody is forcing them to ask for money.

    Yes, those harmed or bothered by the law can vote against those who voted for it. In a tight race it might make the difference.

    Of course, it’s also possible they might gain a few votes if folks went around griping about how the lawmakers kept them out of the public trough just because they used dope. Maybe not, but it’s POSSIBLE some don’t want to buy dope for dope heads. Others might even be happy more money was available for those NOT using dope.

    David contemplating possible effects

  3. tammy on April 29th, 2011 2:24 pm

    all those elected officals who went along with this controlling law get ready, those who is affected by this law can still vote and you law makers just lost your jobs on next election, and it’s time for this law to be over turned. Remember the 4th ammen

  4. OMRBH on April 29th, 2011 2:15 am

    There are those who need help because of long term serious health problems and as one with such problems am fortunate that I only need my social security. Anyone who needs financial help because of a temporary health issue, or because they are temporarily out of work, I am more than glad to help………if they stay clean from illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol!

  5. Casey on April 28th, 2011 3:12 pm

    Let’s get to the meat of the issue, you are only being asked to take a drug test to qualify for your financial assistance, just like I have to take one in order to pay my taxes that provide you the funds for that assistance, this is to ensure that you are not using these funds for drugs and that your children and family are being provided correctly for, not laying your butt up on a couch somehwere drugged up while your famly is searching for something in the cupboard to eat and yes you won’t be able to get assistance if you fail so they still wo’t eat but atleast you won’t be paid for for your drug usage and be more responsible. Your privacy is protected, I would never know you are on assistance from standing be side you, heck most of them dress better than I do and I am very financially stable with their designer clothing and purses but just look at how some of their children are dressed, pitiful it breaks your heart. You get a EBT card that looks like a credit card, while my card has to be paid back by me, trust me their privacy is protected more than they will ever know. Next thing to stop is them being able to sell their cards for cash, I personally know of someone that buys a druggies EBT card so she’ll have cash; which I know is for drugs. The person selling the card could care less if she has food to eat everyday, she has drugs. Tell me how this person is able to use this other person’s EBT, well it’s because they do not require ID upon purchase, now what a system there!

  6. Teresa on April 28th, 2011 7:37 am

    Great news!!! People don’t realize that a person that makes $10 hourly, has to give up a hour and half a week to pay for someone else to get cash assistance! Thats not right! Bottom line…if your getting cash assistance….you work for the hourly man, he take a drug test and want you to also.

  7. Carrie on April 28th, 2011 7:15 am

    Finally our government makes a sensible decision. Hopefully this does apply to all federal and state aid including welfare.

  8. Jon on April 27th, 2011 7:38 pm

    Privacy? You’re a dependent of the state. You can have your privacy when you get a job.

  9. huh on April 27th, 2011 6:17 pm

    Lets take it a step further and deny benefits to overweight people since they clearly have plenty to eat as it is…

  10. dawn on April 27th, 2011 4:55 pm

    its about dang time!!

  11. David Huie Green on April 27th, 2011 3:40 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Democrats skeptical over the science behind the policy and whether such testing would violate Florida’s constitutional right to privacy”

    Interesting idea. “I want money from you but believe you have no right to know anything about me because of my right to privacy.”

    “Well, how do I know you even need money?”

    “Trust me, I do. Just give me your money.”

    What a wonderful world.

    David thinking right to privacy
    includes right to private funding

  12. Reader on April 27th, 2011 2:46 pm

    About Time!! It should also include Tobacco use.

  13. tallyho on April 27th, 2011 2:38 pm

    Very good job. Lebirals cannot buy votes anymore with the tax payers money. There is no science in this, you go to the store and see your tax dollars go out the door and put in a Caddy, EBT cards buying eight dollar coffee drinks that the tax payer cannot afford. Spending the tax money in a Go-Go joint. You turn the unemployment benifits into welfare when you hand it out for 12 to 16 months. Lets ask the question, would you go fine a job are lay up for 16 months on the tax payer? There are people who need help and there are people who use the system for there benifit. You take a drug test to apply for a job, do you not? Is this a violation of your rights. Lets fined somthing more then that Mr. Democrats.

  14. just me on April 27th, 2011 2:30 pm

    well this is good maybe now all the ones on welfare that do drugs wont get it no more and stop having babies and making all of us tax payers pay for them!

  15. Kari on April 27th, 2011 2:12 pm

    Should you get the right to privacy if you are receiving welfare?

  16. Bout Time! on April 27th, 2011 1:31 pm

    RIGHT TO PRIVACY???? Ok so if an employer chooses not to hire you because you have been convicted of a felony (perhaps drug related charges) isn’t that sort of the same thing??

  17. dedra on April 27th, 2011 10:42 am

    Good!!!