does kentucky drug test welfare recipients

Kentucky state legislatures were first introduced to the idea of drug testing welfare recipients in 2011, with HB208. This bill followed along the same lines of other states and would have required adults to pass a drug screening once each year to continue receiving benefits.

Full Answer

Do states drug test welfare recipients?

Drug testing welfare recipients. Some states in the United States of America have enacted or proposed legislation requiring drug testing of people applying for welfare. As of March 2014, laws requiring applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to be drug tested have been enacted in at least nine different states.

What are the limitations of drug testing welfare recipients?

One study has examined the specific limitations of drug testing welfare recipients. A pilot test of a drug testing regime for welfare recipients in Florida concluded in 2003 that drug testing did not produce reliable estimates of the level of drug use among TANF recipients. [26]

Does drug testing welfare recipients promote paternalism?

Eric Liu has criticized drug tests of welfare recipients, which are often promoted by Republican lawmakers, as hypocritical, as they promote government paternalism. Some suggest drug testing welfare recipients is linked to discrimination against welfare recipients or to racism.

Does Florida drug testing cost more than it saves in welfare payments?

In another instance of organizations pushing their agendas the Florida Civil Liberties union found that Florida’s welfare drug testing program cost the state $45,000 more in testing than it saved in welfare payments.

What percentage of welfare recipients are on drugs?

And the results are in: of all the applicants, less than 1%, or 0.19, are drug-users. Amongst average Americans, meanwhile, 9.4% are regular drug users, which makes members of poor families in need of assistance officially much less likely to be drug users than the rest of the nation.

Do Kentucky state employees get drug tested?

The random drug testing procedure includes random computer selection of individuals, testing during work hours, and same-day notification of and testing of employees. The drugs subjected to testing are marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, and propoxyphene.

Does Texas require drug testing for welfare?

The Texas Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 11, which would require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to pass a drug test to receive benefits.

Do local government employees get drug tested?

A clean test is often a prerequisite before a person can start a job. But what about public entities? Can a city or municipal government require drug testing of all its employees? Generally speaking, the answer is “no,” although there are certain circumstances where a drug test may be appropriate.

Is Kentucky a drug state?

Kentucky ranked number 12 on the list for the highest drug use by state with a total score of 46.82. States exceeding Kentucky in the rate of drug use include: West Virginia (58.42) District of Columbia (57.24)

Is Kentucky a zero tolerance state for drugs?

KY's Zero Tolerance Policy for Marijuana In fact, Kentucky law actually has a zero tolerance policy for marijuana. Since both possession as well as use of marijuana is illegal in the state of Kentucky, it is also illegal to drive with any measureable amount of marijuana in your system when in the state.

Can you get food stamps in Texas if you have a drug charge?

Yes. If you're eligible for food stamps, Texas won't disqualify you because of a drug felony. If you violate your parole, Texas could disqualify you for 2 years. Or, if you commit another drug-related crime, Texas could ban you for life.

What happens if I refuse a drug test for CPS in Texas?

If you refuse to take a drug test, CPS will file a lawsuit to obtain a warrant. However, the caseworker must be able to prove probable cause to obtain the warrant. Learn more about your rights during a CPS investigation.

Does Indiana drug test for food stamps?

The Indiana Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would require drug testing for some welfare recipients, even as critics question the constitutionality of the measure.

Can I refuse a hair follicle test?

If you refuse to take a hair follicle test, they will treat your situation as if you are positive. If you pretend as if you haven't used any substances and then take the test, you will be found out.

Can you refuse to be drug tested at work?

Refusing to be tested If you have not signed up to a drug testing policy you can refuse to be tested and your employer is not allowed to take any action against you. However, you should be aware that refusal may make your employer suspicious of your reasons for saying no.

What drugs does the federal government test for?

In federally regulated programs, only urine samples are collected, although the Secretary of Health and Human Service has released guidelines for the inclusion of oral fluid specimens. Tests are commonly used for five categories of drugs: Amphetamines; Cocaine Marijuana; Opiates; and Phencyclidine (PCP).

How much does a Kentucky state worker make?

The average salary for a state government employee in Kentucky is $38,500 per year. State government employee salaries in Kentucky can vary between $24,000 to $67,000 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.

Who is the highest paid state employee in Kentucky?

The Highest-paid public employee by state 2022 in the USAJohn Calipari, Kentucky — $9.3 million. ... Dabo Swinney, South Carolina — $9.3 million. ... Jimbo Fisher, Texas — $7.5 million. ... Jeff Brohm, Indiana — $6.6 million. ... Nick Saban, Alabama — $8.9 million. ... Jim Harbaugh, Michigan — $7.5 million.More items...

What days do Ky state employees get paid?

State Payroll Schedule State government has a semi-monthly pay schedule, which means employees are paid twice per month. As an employee of the state, you will receive your pay on the 15th and the 30th of each month unless the payday falls on a weekend or holiday.

Who are considered Kentucky state employees?

2286, the term "state employee" shall mean a person, including an elected public official, who is regularly employed by any department, board, agency, or branch of state, municipal, urban-county, charter county, or county government, and who is a contributing member of any of the retirement systems administered by the ...

Why do people want drug tests on welfare?

The primary motivation for voters is that they believe their tax money should not be given out in entitlements that subsidize behavior they disapprove of.

Which group most likely supported drug testing welfare recipients?

A surprising aspect is that the group that most likely supported drug testing welfare recipients were recovering drug addicts. There was also a level of bi-partisan support on the basis of “if I have to be drug tested to work my job they should be drug tested to receive my taxes”.

What are the goals of welfare drug testing?

Some of the primary goals of welfare drug test programs are. Referring people that test positive to treatment. incentivizing recipients to abstain from drug use. reduce spending on welfare. identifying custodians of minors that use drugs. denying benefits to people that would subsidize their drug habit with them.

Why is the Drug Free Workplace Act discriminatory?

Opponents of these laws say that the premise itself is discriminatory because it suggests that welfare recipients are more likely to use drugs. In the vein of the Drug Free Workplace Act you could look at it as anyone that accepts federal or state funds is subject to higher scrutiny.

What is the 2015 Wisconsin budget bill?

Wisconsin – 2015 budget bill ( SB 21) included a provision to drug test individuals participating in the Wisconsin Works and the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and work experience programs for non-custodial parents. The bill also included a provision to test applicants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which was challenged by the Federal government.

What is the law in Utah that requires a drug test?

Utah – 2012, passed HB 155 requiring individuals applying for cash assistance to complete a written questionnaire screening for illegal drug use. If there is reason to believe the person has a substance use disorder or is engaging in illegal drug activity, the applicant must take a drug test.

Which state passed HB 392?

North Carolina – 2013 passed HB 392 which included a provision to require drug testing of welfare applicants or recipients based on reasonable suspicion.

How many states have passed drug testing?

February 10, 2020. Lisa Burdick. As of the 24th of March 2017, there are at least 15 states that have passed on the legislation regarding the drug screening or testing for those public assistance recipients or applicants. These states include Wisconsin, West Virginia, Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi, Michigan, ...

Which amendment guarantees the right to test for drugs without a reasonable suspicion?

The 4th amendment guarantees protection against unwarranted searches and mandating testing for drugs without any proof there may be drugs involved seems like a blatantly unwarranted search.

Why are drug tests hypocritical?

The reason for this is because it supports the government paternalism.

Does drug testing cost the government?

Most opponents point to the fact that drug testing routinely costs the government more than it saves. Others believe that, far from causing drug users on welfare to admit their problem and seek treatment, many will simply go further underground and become more desperate.

When did Tennessee start testing?

The state then started on the testing program by July 2014. As of March 2017, there are at least 20 states that have proposed ...

Is the government subsidizing drug abuse?

So in essence the taxpayer is already subsidizing drug abuse on a grand scale. Yet when a government employee is found to have a drug problem they are commonly offered treatment options, which again are financed by the taxpayer. All this points to a duplicity in the way different people are treated.

Does Wisconsin have a drug test?

Added to that, the state of Wisconsin added a provision for their 2015 budget bill regarding the drug test. This is about certain individuals that that are engaging in employment and training program by the SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

How much does it cost to implement drug testing in TANF programs?

The estimated costs in these States ranged from $92,487, for drug testing 20% of recipients and treating 2% of those tested in Louisiana, to $20 million, for just the testing of all public assistance applicants and recipients in New York. Other estimates include the cost of increasing staff to monitor or administer the tests, as in Maryland and Missouri. Idahos estimate includes the cost of making programming changes to the States information system. Floridas law and Alabamas proposal require the applicant or recipient to pay for the up-front costs of the drug test, though both would reimburse those who test negative. Most estimates do not incorporate costs relating to increased substance abuse treatment utilization or to increased child welfare interventions.

Why do people use drug testing for TANF?

Some proponents of drug testing for TANF applicants and recipients support the practice because they believe testing will deter and/or detect and remediate substance abuse , which is seen as a barrier to employment. Little evidence is available to evaluate this proposition. An evaluation of a Florida drug testing pilot found that those welfare recipients who tested positive for drugs had similar employment outcomes as others on TANF. Floridas drug screening and testing pilot for TANF was implemented from January 1999 to May 2001. A total of 8,797 applicants and recipients were tested and 335, or 3.8%, tested positive for a controlled substance. Florida State University conducted an evaluation of the pilot and found that there was very little difference in employment and earnings between those who tested positive versus those who tested negative and concluded that the cost of the program did not justify the outcomes achieved and the program did not warrant full implementation. [44], [45] The studys a review of the research evidence concluded that drug use is not a major barrier to employment for welfare recipients. [46] The authors of the Florida study caution that a disproportionate emphasis on drug use as a barrier to employment could be ineffective if other major barriers, such as physical and mental health problems, lack of job skills, and lack of transportation, are ignored. It should be noted that few drug testing proposals include substance abuse treatment components, making deterrence the primary mechanism through which decreased drug use or increased employment could result.

How prevalent is substance use, abuse, or dependence among TANF recipients?

Studies of the prevalence of substance abuse among welfare recipients have varied widely in their findings, with rates of between 4 and 37 percent reported. Much of the difference in prevalence rates found in these studies is due to different data sources, definitions and measurement methods, particularly the different thresholds used to define substance abuse. Another key difference is whether alcohol abuse and/or the abuse of prescription drugs are included in the estimate. In addition, drug use and abuse is higher among single men in States General Assistance (GA) caseloads than among single (largely female) parents on TANF. So studies that define welfare to include GA beneficiaries often find higher rates. Typically, lower end estimates of around 5 percent or less focus on indications of diagnosable abuse of or dependence on illicit drugs among TANF or (for early estimates) Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program clients. Higher rates, in the 10 percent range, tend to include any past month use of illicit drugs. Rates in the highest ranges (15 percent or more) usually define substance abuse to include alcohol abuse and include any past year (rather than past month) use of illicit drugs. The highest rate noted to date in any study, 37 percent, [5] included female welfare recipients reporting having used any illicit drug at least once in the past year and/or two or more binge drinking episodes in the past month (with binge drinking defined as having had 5 or more drinks on the same occasion or within a couple of hours).

How do States typically address substance abuse in their TANF programs?

States have struggled to decide whether substance abuse in the context of the TANF program should be addressed as a public health issue, a criminal issue, a social issue, or a moral issue. Prior to welfare reform, few States made efforts to identify whether clients had alcohol or other drug abuse problems. That changed under welfare reform as employment and self sufficiency became primary program goals. In a survey at the time TANF was first implemented, States identified screening for substance abuse as one of their top challenges related to assessing the job readiness of TANF clients. [9] In the TANF era, a variety of States have identified substance abuse as a barrier to employment and have established mechanisms to encourage substance abuse treatment for those who need it. [10], [11]

How many bills require suspicionless testing?

Of the bills, 50 State bills plus the two congressional bills would require that applicants be tested, 35 State bills would require suspicionless testing of current recipients, and an additional 26 would test current recipients for cause.

When was the TANF program suspended?

Michigans 1999 program of suspicionless drug testing of TANF recipients was suspended by the courts after operating only a few weeks, and Floridas recently implemented policy of testing applicants is the subject of a pending challenge.

When did Florida start drug testing?

Floridas drug screening and testing pilot for TANF was implemented from January 1999 to May 2001.

When did Florida stop drug testing?

In December 2013, federal judge Mary Stenson Scriven struck down a Florida law, passed in May 2011, that required welfare recipients to be drug tested before they could receive benefits. Rick Scott, the governor of Florida, had endorsed the legislation, and said he intended to appeal Scriven's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

What are the goals of welfare programs?

Proponents of such programs have supported them with a variety of goals in mind, including: getting help for drug users on welfare payments by referring those testing positive to treatment, avoiding "subsidizing drug habits" with public money, deterring drug use, reducing state welfare spending, and protecting children.

Is drug testing required in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, recipients of some payments may be required to take a drug test if this is a requirement of a potential employer or trainer.

Is Florida against welfare drug testing?

The American Civil Liberties Union has opposed welfare drug testing laws in Florida and expressed concern about the proposal gaining traction in other states.

Does the US require drug testing for welfare?

Some states in the United States of America have enacted or proposed legislation requiring drug testing of people applying for welfare. As of early 2017, 15 US states had passed legislation enabling drug testing of welfare applicants or recipients, primarily in relation to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families payments.

Will CLASP have a chilling effect on welfare recipients?

Executives of the non-profit group CLASP have stated that the laws will have a chilling effect on the willingness of existing welfare recipients to admit themselves to drug treatment. Additionally, public policy professor Harold Pollack wrote that "Other physical and mental health problems are far more prevalent.

Short History of The Issue

Arguments For Drug Testing

Arguments Against Drug Testing

• Most opponents point to the fact that drug testing routinely costs the government more than it saves. Others believe that, far from causing drug users on welfare to admit their problem and seek treatment, many will simply go further underground and become more desperate. Still others point out that there are likely thousands, perhaps hundreds of th...

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