MA: Mideast Welfare Drug Screening (Statute)

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Mideast Welfare Drug Screening

Section 1: All adults with prior drug convictions applying for governmental income assistance in the Mideast Region must pass a drug screening free of illegal substances to receive benefits.

Section 2: The cost of the testing is paid for by the individual filing for benefits, but will be reimbursed upon producing a clean test.

Section 3: If the use of an illegal substance is detected on a test, that person is barred from receiving benefits for six months. In the event of a second failed drug test, the person in question is barred from receiving benefits for three years.

Section 4: If an adult filing on behalf of children fails a drug screening, that adult may not receive the children’s benefits, but the benefits may instead be transferred to the children through another adult.

Sponsor: ZuWo

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

I propose the following amendment:

Section 4 is removed.

[ZuWo]

I propose the following amendment:

Section 4 is removed.

If we remove Section 4, what should happen to adults filing on behalf of children who fail a drug test?

[CathKhan]

I think we need to determined whether a person failing a drug test is fit to take care of a child in the first place. After all, if we're going to deny them their child's benefits and have them delivered via another relative, what's the point of leaving them in their original parent's drug addicted care in the first place?

[Ebowed]

This is a serious proposal?

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Do the original proponents have suggestions as to a course of action?

[ZuWo]

Do the original proponents have suggestions as to a course of action?

Let's vote on the amendment you proposed (remove section 4). If this is the only way to get the bill signed, I will support it.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Voting is now open on the amendment.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 48-hour vote.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

AYE

[ZuWo]

Aye

[big bad fab]

AYE

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 3, and the NAYs are 0, with 2 not voting.  The AYEs have it and the amendment is passed.  The legislation now reads as follows:

Mideast Welfare Drug Screening

Section 1: All adults with prior drug convictions applying for governmental income assistance in the Mideast Region must pass a drug screening free of illegal substances to receive benefits.

Section 2: The cost of the testing is paid for by the individual filing for benefits, but will be reimbursed upon producing a clean test.

Section 3: If the use of an illegal substance is detected on a test, that person is barred from receiving benefits for six months. In the event of a second failed drug test, the person in question is barred from receiving benefits for three years.

[pillage the village, trash the scene]

Sorry for invasion, but can I use your text to introduce similar proposal in the IDS Legislature?

[ZuWo]

Sorry for invasion, but can I use your text to introduce similar proposal in the IDS Legislature?

Go ahead! There's no copyright on bills as far as I know.

[shua]

I think this is unnecessarily harsh. Why are you making people pay the costs for their own drug tests up front?  If they are in such dire straights that they are applying for assistance, this may not be many they can easily spare.  Also, three years is a long time to punish someone for a couple failed drug tests.

[ZuWo]

I think this is unnecessarily harsh. Why are you making people pay the costs for their own drug tests up front?  If they are in such dire straights that they are applying for assistance, this may not be many they can easily spare.  Also, three years is a long time to punish someone for a couple failed drug tests.

First of all, only people with a past drug conviction have to take such a drug screening test when they apply for governmental income assistance. This already reduces the number of people who are affected by this bill to a considerable extent. Also, in contrast to many US states, the legal status of marijuana in the Mideast leads to a lower number of people who potentially have a drug conviction and thus have to take this test.

Secondly, individuals who produce a clean test will get their money back. All they have to do is pay for the test in the first place, but I think this is reasonable since the average basic cost of a drug test is, as far as I read, only a few dozen dollars. And I do believe that the three-year exclusion from welfare benefits is justified in case a former drug convict fails the test repeatedly. But that is a subjective point of view, and it is clear to me that this may seem harsh to some. As far as I know, this part is based on the respective bill from Florida, which has served as a model for this piece of legislation.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Any further debate/amendments?

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Seeing no further debate, the bill is now brought to a final vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 48-hour vote.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

AYE

[ZuWo]

Aye

[big bad fab]

AYE

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 3, and the NAYs are 0, with 2 not voting.  The AYEs have it, and the bill is passed.  The bill is now passed onto the Governor for his signature.

[afleitch]

Signed

x Afleitch