Sen. Leising Proposes Drug Testing For Welfare

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana may soon ask welfare recipients to pass a drug test before receiving benefits.

 

Two Indiana Republican lawmakers, Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo), say they have asked legislative staff to draft such bills for the 2012 session.

 

Similar laws in other states such as Missouri and Florida are being challenged on the Fourth Amendment, protecting citizens from illegal searches and seizures.

 

A spokesman for Gov. Mitch Daniels said the governor is watching the bill, but has not given an opinion on it.

 

State Rep. Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) said in October he was studying and could possibly submit his own welfare drug testing bill.

 

Leising previously authored a measure suspending unemployment benefits for individuals failing to take or pass drug tests for prospective employers. It passed the state legislature in 2011 as part of a larger unemployment benefits bill and was signed into law by the governor.

 

LINKS:

 

Rep. McMillin Studying Welfare Drug Testing Bill

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