Snyder Signs Bills For Drug Testing Welfare Recipients

LANSING (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation creating a suspicion-based drug-testing program for adult welfare recipients.

House Bill 4118 and Senate Bill 275 were among a number of bills approved Friday by Snyder.

The one-year pilot program will be used in three counties, which have not been announced.

If drug use is suspected, welfare recipients or applicants are required to take a substance abuse test. Refusal to take the test results in benefits ineligibility for six months.

Positive drug tests lead to referrals to treatment programs. State assistance will be terminated for refusing to participate in the program or failing to submit to testing under the program. Benefits can be restored after a person passes a substance abuse test.

Michigan has roughly 80,000 welfare recipients.