INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana Senate panel has approved a requirement
that some welfare recipients pass drug tests before they can receive
benefits from the state.
However, the current version of the measure is far less sweeping than what
supporters originally sought. The measure approved Thursday would only
apply to welfare recipients who had previously been convicted of a drug
crime.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the measure Thursday.
Supporters of the measure say it's needed to ensure welfare recipients are
not converting benefits into money for buying drugs. But opponents have
said the measure violates the constitutional protection against
unreasonable search and seizure.
A federal judge struck down Florida's drug-testing law in December, saying
there was no evidence to show widespread drug abuse among welfare
recipients.