ND Bill Pushes Drug Tests For Welfare Recipients

State and social services officials say a proposal to require drug testing for certain recipients of public assistance in North Dakota might be unconstitutional.

 

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - State and social services officials say a proposal to require drug testing for certain recipients of public assistance in North Dakota might be unconstitutional.

Rep. Dennis Johnson is the prime sponsor of the bill that also would require the needy to pay for the testing to ensure public money isn't funding an addiction problem. The Devils Lake Republican told the House Human Services Committee that the bill is intended to provide an incentive to keep people off drugs.

The state could deny public assistance for one year after the date of a positive drug test, and three years after the date of a second positive test.

The measure would not affect assistance for children. A third-party would manage the aid if a parent or guardian tested positive for illegal drugs.

(KFGO News file photo)

 

AP

   

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