Signed by Governor Rick Snyder

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that requires drug testing for welfare recipients.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the pilot program established by the Department of Human Services to test welfare applicants and recipients for substance abuse shall begin no later than October 1, 2015 and end no later than September 20, 2016 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Human Services to refer an applicant or recipient to a community mental health entity if the individual tests positive for a controlled substance and it is his or her first time to test positive (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an applicant or recipient will become ineligible for Family Independence Program assistance upon one of the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• An applicant or recipient refuses to participate in periodic substance abuse testing;
• An applicant or recipient tests positive for a controlled substance and it is his or her second time to test positive; or
• An applicant or recipient refuses treatment offered by the Department of Human Services.

• Exempts applicants or recipients who test positive for a controlled substance for which they have a prescription from a treating physician, including those with medical marijuana licenses (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires drug testing of welfare recipients.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the pilot program established by the Department of Human Services to test welfare applicants and recipients for substance abuse shall begin no later than October 1, 2015 and end no later than September 20, 2016 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Human Services to refer an applicant or recipient to a community mental health entity if the individual tests positive for a controlled substance and it is his or her first time to test positive (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an applicant or recipient will become ineligible for Family Independence Program assistance upon one of the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• An applicant or recipient refuses to participate in periodic substance abuse testing;
• An applicant or recipient tests positive for a controlled substance and it is his or her second time to test positive; or
• An applicant or recipient refuses treatment offered by the Department of Human Services.

• Exempts applicants or recipients who test positive for a controlled substance for which they have a prescription from a treating physician, including those with medical marijuana licenses (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text