2013 Senate Bill 275 / 2014 Public Act 395

Authorize drug testing of welfare applicants

Introduced in the Senate

March 19, 2013

Introduced by Sen. Joe Hune (R-22)

To require drug testing of applicants for various state welfare benefits if a welfare caseworker has a reasonable suspicion, and prohibit benefits if a person tests positive.

Referred to the Committee on Families, Seniors, and Human Services

June 13, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 11, 2013

Substitute offered

To adopt a version of the bill that authorizes drug treatment referrals for individuals who test positive, rather than automatic benefit cuts.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Dec. 12, 2013

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Bert Johnson (D-2)

, to establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

Consideration postponed

Motion by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-30)

To declare the Johnson amendment "not germane" to the purpose of the bill, and therefore out-of-order.

The motion passed 26 to 12 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To establish that all records related to the proposed drug tests would be subject to the provisions of a federal health records privacy law ("HIPAA"), and could not be used in court or other proceedings.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To require the state or a third party insurance payer to pay for drug treatment if a welfare recipient is ordered into such a program.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To require a report the bill requires on the proposed screening and testing program to include how many individuals are referred to drug treatment programs, and what sanctions have been imposed due to the tests.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 26 to 12 (details)

To require that welfare benefit recipients or applicants who test positive on the drug tests authorized by House Bill 4118 must be referred to a state-authorized regional substance abuse agency, and cut benefits if the individual refused to enter a drug treatment program. This would begin as a one-year pilot program in three counties.

Received in the House

Dec. 12, 2013

Referred to the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors

Sept. 10, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 2, 2014

Amendment offered by Rep. Jon Switalski (D-28)

To require legislators to take drug tests.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Dian Slavens (D-21)

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bills 4610, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4610 would require drug testing for business executives whose firms receive subsidies from the state.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To require samples taken for drug tests that turn out negative to be disposed of immediately.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Dec. 3, 2014

Passed in the House 75 to 34 (details)

To require that welfare benefit recipients or applicants who test positive on the drug tests authorized by House Bill 4118 must be referred to a state-authorized regional substance abuse agency, and cut benefits if the individual refused to enter a drug treatment program. This would begin as a one-year pilot program in three counties.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 4, 2014

Dec. 10, 2014

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To establish that if a welfare recipient who is a parent tests positive for drugs, the child would still be eligible for assistance, and a "protective payee" would be designated to receive the parent's welfare money.

The amendment failed 12 to 24 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To require that the cost of any drug use "treatment" prescribed by the proposed testing program be paid for by a state or federal medical welfare plan for which the individual is eligible.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To make documents, interviews, drug test results and more prescribed by the proposes program confidential under the same terms as the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 26 to 10 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 24, 2014