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Revised welfare drug test bill heads to Okla. gov

Posted: 1:55 PM May 10, 2012
Reporter: From Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Certain Oklahoma welfare recipients could be subjected to drug tests under a scaled-back bill that is heading to the governor's desk.

The House voted 86-6 on Thursday for the compromise bill that authorizes the Department of Human Services to conduct drug tests on welfare applicants if they have a reasonable suspicion the person is using drugs. The proposed law applies to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or TANF, which serves an estimated 4,000 Oklahoma adults and 17,000 children in an average month.

The bill previously would have required all TANF recipients to take and pay for a drug test before receiving benefits. The revised bill applies only to applicants who come under suspicion after being screened for potential drug use.

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Online:

House Bill 2388: http://bit.ly/A1cygp

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