3/19/13 - A local Senator is again working to get his welfare reform bills through the legislature. Senate Bills 275 and 276 were both introduced today by Republican sponsor Joe Hune of Hamburg Township. SB 276 would require cash assistance recipients who are not exempt from the Jobs, Education and Training program to participate in community service. The other measure requires welfare applicants to submit to a drug test if their caseworker has reasonable suspicion they may be abusing drugs. The bills were originally introduced last fall but failed to pass. They came under fire from children and family advocates when first introduced for language that required the state to test welfare recipients for substance abuse if a reasonable suspicion of abuse exists. That language was later removed. The new bills were referred to the Senate Families, Seniors, and Human Services Committee for further consideration. (JM)
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