Bill to test welfare applicants for drugs approved

[TexasTowelie]

Drug testing for Texas welfare applicants moved a step closer to reality Tuesday when the bill’s author accepted legislative changes to ensure that children would continue to receive benefits if a parent is caught using drugs.

In the original version of the bill by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, children could permanently lose benefits based on a third failed drug test by a parent.

But Nelson agreed to several changes designed to ensure that children would continue to receive benefits while their drug-using parents are directed into rehabilitation programs, prompting the Health and Human Services Committee to vote 9-0 to approve Senate Bill 11.

“My intent is absolutely not to hurt the children,” Nelson said. “But I believe that if Mama is a serious drug abuser, that money is not going to helping the children. That money is going to buy drugs.”

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/bill-to-drug-test-welfare-applicants-delayed/nW4m6/ .

[putitinD]

1. because it worked so well in Florida? didn't it cost millions and only turn up like a dozen drug

users

[onestepforward]

2. Here are the numbers:

Oh course Perry wants to copy Florida's failed policy. I'd expect nothing less from him.
Idiot.

[Kalidurga]

3. I expected the number of positive tests to be low...

But, that is very very low. I am not for sure about the numbers for the working population that doesn't get assistance. But, I do know this. Human Resources at a place I used to work told me (she wasn't supposed to) that 1 in 4 people that applied there failed the drug test.