Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients
A new bill passed the house last week which gives the Department of Human Services (DHS) the right to use "reasonable suspicion" to determine if a welfare recipient is suspected of using drugs and subsequently require manditory drug testing.
The details of this bill, HB 5223,state that if the drug is negative the $50 cost of the test will be deducted from the recipient's cash assistance benefit. If positive, the recipient will be removed from the cash assistance program for a period of at least six months and the state pays for the test.
Does this seem reasonable to you? Should the recipient be penalized for a negative test result? Also should anyone that receives any type of government money, including corporate tax exemptions and abatements also be required to take this test?
Laws that target the less fortunate with policies like this can create a slippery slope leading to discrimination and unfair practices.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Fighting for Michigan Families,
Barb Shelton
Posted on 11 Jun 2012, 8:35 - Category: Welfare Drug Testing