This year (2013), in 29 states there have been laws introduced to screen welfare recipients for drug use. In eight of those states, the laws have been advanced.
Michigan
There are legislative plans in the works that will require those receiving benefits from welfare programs to pass a drug test. All family members 18 years of age and older will need to be tested if the law in Michigan passes. Last year, the bill did pass in the House but it was killed in the Senate. There was also a pilot program regarding this in 1999 in the state of Michigan. There are many states now including Utah and Arizona that have such processes for welfare recipients in place.
The difference is that not all applicants would be subjected to the drug testing this time around. Instead, there would need to be deemed reasonable cause that the person is using an illegal substance. This change is to help get around the legal challenges in the past regarding constitutional rights being violated.
What would the repercussions be for those that do test positive? Some worry that taking away their 大阪 生活保護 benefits isn't the answer. If they have children, how will the get fed or clothed? Others worry that such testing is very expensive and it is just a waste of money that could be used by the state of Michigan for some other programs.
Determining what the just cause would be for the testing is also up in the air. Would caseworkers be responsible for this? They already have a full plate with their work and adding this dimension to it can be overboard. Will it result in some lawsuits too regarding welfare recipients that feel they were targeted by their caseworker? There are so many variables that will have to be looked at.
The specifics of the program though will all come down to funding. Many feel that such laws should only be implemented if there will also be treatment options available to those that do test positive for drugs.
The Law Advances
In May, it was reported that the measure passed in Michigan -at least in the House, and passage is expected in the Senate. In the version of the law that advanced, in addition to drug tests of family members over 18 years of age, kids under 16 not reporting to school may cause the family to forfeit welfare assistance.
If that happens, once the kid goes to school for three consecutive weeks, the family will be allowed back on the role.
While it may seem like the state is playing hardball, it may give parents reason to get up in the morning to make sure Junior gets to school.
On the flip side of that there are many single parents in the category of 'working poor' who aren't home much to monitor that stuff. Getting disconnected from welfare assistance will not help their effort to put food on their table to feed their kids.
This law could conceivably increase the number of homeless adults and children.
Additionally, there are few who think the state has the resources to help those it says it will help if they test positive. Many say the idea for the new law was borne of a mean streak that runs through certain conservative leaning lawmakers.