Florida Now Requires Drug Testing For Welfare Applicants

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Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) signed legislation on Tuesday that requires anyone applying for temporary government assistance to pay for and undergo drug screening.

All applicants for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program must now pay for drug testing. Any applicant who tests positive for illegal drug use will be ineligible to receive government benefits for one year or until they successfully complete a drug abuse program. Those who test clean will be reimbursed for the cost of the test.

“While there are certainly legitimate needs for public assistance, it is unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction,” Scott said. “This new law will encourage personal accountability and will help to prevent the misuse of tax dollars.”

In March, Scott also issued an executive order requiring that all state employees be subjected to random drug screenings and urine analysis once every quarter. The order is expected to cost Florida taxpayers over $3.5 million.

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