BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A Republican state senator wants potential welfare recipients to be drug tested before they could receive benefits.
Sen. Tom Campbell’s bill would develop a procedure for the Department of Human Services to test applicants for illegal drug activity. An applicant who refuses to take a drug test or doesn’t participate in a treatment plan would be ineligible for benefits for one year.
The Bismarck Tribune (https://bit.ly/2jsKXO0 ) reports that if a parent is ineligible, another appropriate adult could be designated to receive benefits on behalf of a child.
Trail County Social Services Director Kim Jacobson says she had a number of concerns about the proposal, including having the burden of proof placed on the counties. Similar legislation has failed in past sessions, most recently in 2013.
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com
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