New Law: Welfare Recipients Will Be Tested for Drugs
Friday, May 6, 2011
By: Sascha Cordner, Florida Public Radio

May 06, 2011 | WMFE - Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign one of his top priorities into law. The bill approved by the state lawmakers would require welfare applicants to pass a drug test. Some lawmakers opposed the measure saying it discriminates against certain groups of people.

Republican Senator Steve Oelrich of Gainesville, sponsor of the bill in the House, says the measure’s aim is to prevent the use of taxpayer dollars to buy illegal drugs.
Lawmakers voted down another recent measure that would have allowed employees and recipients of Bright Futures scholarships to also be drug tested.
Democratic Senator Arthenia Joyner of Tampa says the bill unfairly singles out welfare recipients. “What about the Bright Future kids? They get tax dollars, why not test them?” Joyner asked "What’s the difference between one recipient of tax dollars and another?”
The bill would require welfare applicants to complete a drug test and they would only receive benefits if they pass.
The Senate approved the measure Thursday along a party line vote of 29 to 11 with Republicans in the majority.