House approves costly plan to drug test welfare recipients

INDIANAPOLIS | The Republican-controlled Indiana House voted 73-23 Tuesday to spend up to $1.5 million for a two-year pilot program drug testing welfare recipients, despite projected savings of only $43,000.

House Bill 1007 sets up drug testing for recipients of Temporary Aid for Needy Families benefits in three counties to be selected by the Family and Social Services Administration. A recipient who fails a drug test would lose his or her benefits.

The sponsor, state Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said it doesn't matter that the state will end up spending more money than it saves; it's more important to send a message to welfare recipients that they should not use drugs.

State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, challenged McMillin to cite any study showing drug users are actively seeking TANF benefits or TANF recipients are more likely to use drugs than the general population.

McMillin could not.

"I regret that we cast aspersions over a category of people because some folks need assistance at a given point," Brown said.

Other lawmakers pointed out children would suffer most under the plan because their parents would lose money needed to support them, especially if the test falsely showed a positive result.

"This bill would leave the mother with the choice of no income for the child, or give up the child," said state Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis.

A similar testing program in Florida found 2 percent of welfare recipients failed a drug test. The Florida program was halted in October after a federal judge said it likely was unconstitutional.

The Indiana legislation also requires state lawmakers submit to a drug test.

Northwest Indiana lawmakers voting for the measure, which now advances to the Senate, were state Reps. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte; Don Lehe, R-Brookston; Chuck Moseley, D-Portage; and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso.

All other region representatives voted no.