To require drug testing of state welfare benefit recipients or applicants if an "empirical screening tool" indicates a reasonable suspicion, and prohibit benefits for six months if a person tests positive a second time (or refuses "treatment" the first time). This would begin as a one-year pilot program in three counties.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To establish that if a welfare recipient is ordered to take a drug test and the results are negative, the person wouldn't have to pay the cost of the test.

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

To require that welfare applicants be informed they may be ordered to take a drug test.

To require a methodology be used for picking counties for the proposed pilot program that picks one high population county, one low population county, and one in the middle.

To add additional details that would have to be included on a report of the proposed pilot program's results.

To exempt from proposed sanctions welfare recipients who test positive for a "controlled substance" if they have a prescription for it. This may apply to marijuana users who have a medical marijuana card.

To establish that all information, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, and substance abuse test results generated by the proposed drug testing program are confidential communications subject to federal “HIPA” law privacy protections, and may not be used as evidence in any legal proceedings, except for determining welfare eligibility.

To exempt individuals age 65 and older from the proposed testing.

To require legislators take drug tests as a condition of the bill going into effect.

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4610, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4610 would require drug testing for business executives whose firms receive "corporate welfare" from the state.

To not impose sanctions on a person who is registered to use medical marijuana and who tests positive for this drug.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To clarify that a positive drug test does not trigger sanctions if it is determined to have been the result of actions that do not violate state law.

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

The vote by which the Gregory amendment was adopted.

To establish exceptions for drug tests that find prescription drugs and medical marijuana.

To require a one-year pilot program in at least three counties that would require drug testing of state welfare benefit recipients and applicants if an "empirical screening tool" indicates a reasonable suspicion of drug use. Benefits would be halted for six months if a person tests positive or refuses to take the test, with an exception for medical marijuana. If a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money. The bill appropriates $500,000 for the pilot program.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.