Posted on 02/02/2011 4:52:51 PM PST by Angelus
A bill introduced to the Illinois House seeks to require new applicants for Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) to undergo drug testing and subsequent substance abuse treatment if a drug test is positive. House Bill 0011 was introduced Jan. 12 by Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Freeport) and provides for the Department of Human Services to enact a "pilot program" for drug testing as a condition of eligibility for TANF.
TANF is a program that provides financial assistance to pregnant women and families with at least one dependent child under the age of 19 in the home. This is temporary financial assistance that provides aid for food, shelter, utilities and other expenses for recipients. TANF is a short-term cash assistance program and applicants must be Illinois residents, U.S. citizens or meet specified immigration requirements.
The drug testing program would be started in three Illinois counties and if it proves successful, it would become a statewide program. The bill exempts Illinois residents who are 65 and older or are a resident of an Illinois licensed nursing home.
The bill requires that a positive substance abuse test will be retested for a confirmation result and those who test positive again upon retest shall voluntarily participate in a drug treatment program. It is unclear whether the cost of treatment will be the responsibility of the State or if the applicant who tests positive will be required to pay for their own drug treatment.
While on the surface, many people see drug testing for welfare recipients as a positive step toward accountability, the concept itself raises more questions and concerns among Illinois residents. Concerns such as what a positive drug test will mean for children within the family are foremost for many residents interviewed.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I live in MA and this would be a great idea for our state. Welfare rolls would drop by 50% minium.
Will never happen - would alienate too many potential D voters ;)
If they do that it would really pare down the welfare rolls.
More like 85%
This, on the surface, sounds better than the Missouri law, which requires that a state welfare worker determine reasonable suspicion that a TANF recipient is taking drugs. As I stated in that thread, I think the tests should be mandatory.
Would cut a lot here in SC.
With the way that they do things in Illinois, I would think that the State wants to test the drugs of the Welfare Queens to be certian that the drugs are of high quality, right?
Good. And right after them we can test the politicians and police.
Very progressive. The objective of support for healthy people who cannot support themselves ought to be to turn them into healthy people who can support themselves. Tough to support ones self after sucking on a crack pipe all night.
I’d test for alcohol too.
Add to a drug test a proof of citizenship or legal immigration status and the welfare roles may drop further still.
I wonder how many waivers will be given for that one?
Granted I read through this quickly but my understanding is that the test is given but it has no effect on the recipient qualifying for aid. Just what the taxpayers need, a huge influx of state mandated, state paid inpatient drug programs. They aint’ cheap.
I see nothing but problems. I am all for drug testing welfare recipients however this article alludes to a penalty of drug treatment if the person tests positive not loss of welfare income. I would be all for it if they test positive and the penalty is immediate forfeiture of all state assistance. I bet the state will foot the bill for “treatment” too!
: )
Interesting concept.
Unlikely to make it into law in Illinois I’d guess.
Over under on savings is 50%. I’ll take the over.
I believe 80% of the problems in DC, and state legislatures, would be solved if all Reps and Senators were required to take a breathalyzer before entering the chamber for business. They should have to take a pee test for drugs, randomly or a program along the same lines as airline pilots.
These people pass laws that affect millions of citizens. If they couldn’t operate a motor vehicle, they shouldn’t be making these important decisions.
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