Florida Requires Drug Screening for Welfare Applicants

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a requirement that adults who are applying for welfare assistance undergo drug screening. 

According to Partnership at Drugfree.org, the law, which takes effect July 1, requires applicants to be responsible for the cost of the screening. 

Governor Scott said that it is “unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction,” CNN reports. Under the law, applicants who fail the drug screen can designate another person to receive the benefits on behalf of their children, the Partnership reports. 

After the law was signed, five Florida Democrats from the state’s congressional delegation issued a statement opposing the legislation. One called the law “downright unconstitutional.”

Read the CNN story here.