Pubdate: Tue, 31 Jan 2012
Source: Indianapolis Star (IN)
Copyright: 2012 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www2.indystar.com/help/letters.html
Website: http://www.indystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210

INDIANA HOUSE OKS BILL TO DRUG-TEST WELFARE RECIPIENTS

The Indiana House passed a bill 73-23 today that would establish a
pilot program for drug testing for people who receive welfare
assistance from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, and Sen. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City,
will sponsor the legislation in the Indiana Senate.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a grant program that seeks
to help recipients find jobs. Under the legislation, people who fail
the test would lose their benefits from the federal-aid program,
unless they enter a drug treatment program and subsequently stay off
of drugs. The office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services
would develop the program in three yet-to-be-determined counties.
Several Democrats opposed the legislation, saying that other states do
not test people under this program for drugs, and that the pilot
program is not well thought out.

"This is a bill that makes no sense whatsoever," said Rep. William
Crawford, D-Indianapolis.

Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said the bill comes down to
philosophical issues. He sees the bill as helping people, rather than
hurting them.

"Do you want to teach a man to fish or do you want to give a man a
fish?" he asked. "Do you want to give a hand up or do you want to give
a hand out?"

Legislators also would face drug testing under an amendment approved
Monday. Half of the legislature would face random drug testing during
each session, and the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore
could also order drug testing of a particular member.
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