Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Passes State Senate
The bill moves on to the state House of Representatives for approval.
State welfare recipients are one step closer to having to undergo drug testing before they receive state money, since the Georgia Senate passed the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act on Wednesday. However, the bill still needs to go to the state House of Representatives for approval before it becomes law.
Sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), the legislation requires recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to undergo drug screening to determine welfare eligibility.
“True compassion is doing what’s best for people, not what’s easiest,” said Albers. “This is the ideology behind why the bill is named the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act. With the passage of SB 292 today, we will help ensure the proper allocation of taxpayer-funded TANF benefits and prevent these funds from being diverted to illicit drug use.”
Under this legislation, the drug testing requirement is modeled after the tests required by the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs or other professionally valid procedures. If enacted into law, this test would require a swab test in lieu of urinalysis.
For the full story, visit Roswell Patch.
william kopeck
12:06 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Yes! I believe anyone receiving government assistance,be that welfare or food stamps, should be required to take a drug test. State and local enforcement are required to take drug test, why not political employees!
Julia Harris
8:24 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
I agree, William. Anyone receiving government funds ought to be tested.
Cindy
9:14 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
There is a huge difference between a welfare recipient and an elected official. Elected officials actually earn the money to buy their drugs, while welfare recipients are buying theirs with money that they have not earned. Their money is given to them to help them survive, not to buy drugs. That being said, I don't have a problem with any employer giving drug tests. It's a safety issue.
Julia Harris
11:04 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Well said. You have a valid point, Cindy.
Ron
1:19 am on Monday, March 12, 2012
Of course, Cindy, you're making the gross assumption that all elected politicians actually do earn the taxpayer funds they receive. Recent news investigations have shown that some elected members of our government do not put in the hours that they are supposed to dedicate to their job and the taxpayers!
Ron
1:23 am on Monday, March 12, 2012
And yes, I believe that all elected officials and their staff should be given random drug tests. One only needs to look at some of the proposed legislation to recognize that something is very wrong with our governmental processes.
Cicley Gay
6:30 pm on Sunday, March 25, 2012
SLIPPERY SLOPE folks...welfare recipients are NOT the only people receiving gvmt entitlements. Our food, housing (particularly if you have refinanced) and gasoline are all subsidized with public funds. Anyone using those should be drug tested too? Soccer moms illegally taking prescription drugs better beware...