HB 668 is a bill that will require the Department of Human Services to Drug test anyone on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
The cost of the Drug Test will be paid for by the individual who is receiving the test. In other words, to get assistance for being low-income, you will have to pay for a drug test.
Penalties for failing the drug test are as follows:
1st offense – loss of TANF for one month. Must pass another drug test before receiving benefits.
2nd offense – loss of TANF for three months. Must pass another drug test before receiving benefits.
3rd offense – loss of TANF for three years. Must pass another drug test before receiving benefits. This can be lowered to one year if the individual can prove he or she took a drug rehabilitation program.
If there are two parents in the home, both parents must pass the drug test. This is problematic. What if the mother and father are taking care of the children – but the father is doing drugs without the knowledge or involvement of the mother. She and the child will be punished for the father’s mistakes.
The law does allow some wiggle room for children’s benefits – a guardian can be appointed to receive the benefits. The guardian must also pass a drug test.
Beyond the fact that I think this bill is unfair and further stigmatizes a group of individuals who are already stigmatized, it also is just bad policy. Florida enacted a similar law and 98% of those who took the drug test passed.
I have to wonder if the legislature would also be willing to drug test Delta CEO’s and other citizens who receive Government Benefits?
House Sponsors:
Senate Sponsors:
Quit wasting time and money on stupid crap, their is no money to be saved here, test yourselves and those that have contracts with Georgia, there sure is a hell of alot more money in wasted resoureces, lost time, and in the case of Georgia law makers they waste my money on dump ideas. Get to work on Jobs!!!
Test the crooked judges and their counterparts for drugs,cocaine to be exact,test these coaches and teachers that are raping our children,these people are such losers wow!