People who test positive for illegal drugs would be prevented from collecting temporary financial assistance from the state under a measure approved Tuesday by the Republican-controlled Florida House.
By a 78-38 vote, the House approved a measure (HB 353) that backers say would help ensure that tax dollars are spent to feed families and not the addictions of drug abusers receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a program administered by the state that provides up to $300 a month in federal money for up to 48 months to low income residents.
“This money is taxpayers’ money that is supposed to go to take care of our families,” said Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, a freshman and sponsor of the bill.
The proposal prompted a series of questions from Democrats skeptical over the science behind the policy and whether such testing would violate Florida’s constitutional right to privacy. |
