House Bill 5223 passed the House of Representatives Thursday 71-37 after significant debate and dozens of failed attempts at amendments. The measure, sponsored by Representative Jeff Farrington (R-Utica), proposes to require welfare cash assistance recipients to submit to a drug screening if suspected of drug use.
According to the legislation, if the drug test is negative the individual pays for the cost of the test through a deduction from their first assistance payment. If the drug test is positive, the individual becomes ineligible for the assistance and the state picks up the tab for the test.
Among the 17 defeated amendments offered by Democrats were efforts to require members of the State Legislature to submit to the same drug screening, as well as an amendment to change the responsibility of paying the cost of a negative test to the state. Additionally defeated was an amendment offered by Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester) that would require the recipients of “corporate welfare” to be subjected to the same test – business executives that receive loans, grants or other state assistance.
If passed, the program would begin by being piloted and would expand statewide after several years. It is estimated that, upon going statewide, the drug testing program could save as much as $3 million annually.