Okla. Senate OKs Scaled-back Drug Test Bill For Welfare Recipients

Oklahoma welfare recipients could be

subjected to drug tests and denied benefits under a scaled-back

drug testing bill approved in the state Senate.

The Senate on Wednesday voted 46-2 for the compromise bill that

authorizes the Department of Human Services to conduct drug tests

on welfare applicants if they have a reasonable suspicion the

person is using drugs. The proposed law applies to the Temporary

Assistance for Needy Families program, or TANF, which serves an

estimated 4,000 Oklahoma adults in an average month.

The bill previously would have required all TANF recipients to

take and pay for a drug test before receiving benefits. The revised

bill applies only to applicants who come under suspicion after

being screened for potential drug use.