A test program requiring some Ohio welfare recipients to pass drug tests before getting cash assistance is among the changes Senate Republicans are expected to make today to a wide-ranging bill known as the mid-biennium review.
The proposal is modeled on a bill crafted last year by Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster. Schaffer initially proposed a statewide testing requirement, but then in November offered a new version that would set up a test program in three counties that volunteer and are chosen by the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The addition is among several the Senate Finance Committee is expected to make to the sweeping budget revisions proposed in March by Gov. John Kasich.
Republicans also are talking about a $42 million boost to Clean Ohio funding, adding to the $6 million that Kasich put in the capital budget in March — an amount critics argued was far too little. If there is enough support, the idea could be included on Wednesday.
Under Schaffer’s drug-testing proposal, participating counties would survey each applicant to determine if there is “reasonable cause” to suspect the person has a drug problem. If the answer is yes, the person must pass a drug test before getting assistance.
Schaffer said the survey is key to Ohio avoiding the kind of unconstitutional search and seizure trouble that drug-testing laws encountered in Florida and Michigan.
“We have made sure that we’ve learned the lessons from other states,” Schaffer said. “This bill will stand up in court, protect the taxpayers and help these families that have drug problems all at the same time.”
Lawmakers in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Louisiana have moved similar legislation in recent weeks. Critics argue such laws do little more than profile and vilify the poor.
In protest, Rep. Robert F. Hagan, D-Youngstown, in September proposed mandatory testing of state legislators, statewide elected officials and JobsOhio board members.
Under Schaffer’s plan, if a person fails the test, he or she would be referred for counseling and is ineligible for cash assistance for at least six months. If a person passes, he or she would be reimbursed for the cost of the test. The amendment includes funding of up to $100,000, but Schaffer expects it would be less.
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