[Update]  A measure that would require South Dakota welfare applicants under 65 to pass drug tests before receiving food stamps or cash assistance was defeated in committee today.  During a 90-minute discussion, committee members were presented with data from other states that have incorporated similar legislation.  Lynne Valenti of the South Dakota Department of Social Services says the numbers show that the bill would not be cost-effective.

The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 9-4 to defer the bill to the 41st day, effectively killing it.

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Not so fast, South Dakota welfare applicants under the age of 65 might not get their food stamps or cash assistance unless they pass drug tests if a new measure is passed.

The bill will get its first legislative test today. A committee hearing is planned to discuss the plan on Thursday, January 28, 2016.

Under the plan if a welfare applicant should test positive, they would be barred from receiving benefits for a year. The measure would also require applicants to pay for the drug test. Applicants can also contest a decision to deny benefits under the plan.

According to Republican Rep. Lynne DiSanto, South Dakota taxpayers want to know that they're not subsidizing recipients' drug habits.

House Majority Leader Brian Gosch says he thinks the measure is likely to fail. While Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard called the bill "somewhat insulting."

Source: Daily Journal


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