Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Passed by Virginia House

The House committee of the state of Virginia passed a bill on Tuesday that calls for drug testing for welfare recipients.

The measure, along with another that repealed a mandate that girls receive vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), cleared the Virginia House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee on a 14 to 8 vote.

Democrats raised objections on the measure on drug testing for welfare recipients. Lionell Spruill Sr. raised the question of whether corporations, who also receive significant amounts from the state through tax credits, should also be subjected to drug testing.

Spruill said: “What are we trying to do here? Now we’re picking on people who are poor.” He went on to ask whether General Assembly members should also be subjected to the same scrutiny, saying: “What about us? We make a big $17,600 a year – why don’t you test us?”

Delegate Christopher T. Head, who introduced one of several bills regarding drug testing for welfare recipients, explained, however: “They’re not being singled out… As stewards of public money, we have a responsibility to make sure that the money’s being spent right.”

The bill would call for the screening of participants in the employment program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), to see if there is “probable cause” to believe that they are using illegal drugs. If such “probable cause” is determined, then the participant would have to take a formal drug test. Those who test positive, or refuse to take a drug test without good cause, will be deemed ineligible for TANF benefits – unless they undergo a drug treatment program.

Ineligible participants will not be able to receive benefits for 12 months, although they will be given a chance to undergo screening and be reinstated during that 12-month period. Family members of anyone who fails or refuses a drug test, however, will still receive the benefits.