Haefner Praises TANF Drug Testing Bill

Rep. Marsha Haefner praised legislation passed by the General Assembly that could cut off government assistance to recipients who fail drug tests.

The legislation in question would require the Department of Social Services to set up a drug testing program for applicants for or recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. According to a summary of the bill, testing would occur for people the department “has reasonable cause to believe, based on the screening, engages in the illegal use of a controlled substance.”

If someone tests positive for drugs, that person is barred from receiving TANF benefits for three years. But if that person enters and successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program and does not test positive for illegal drugs for six months, they will continue to receive benefits while participating in the program.

If an individual tests positive a second time, then TANF benefits are taken away for three years.

In her latest Capitol Report, Haefner—an Oakville Republican who voted in favor the legislation—said the bill could be beneficial for taxpayers and recipients of TANF benefits.

“Giving your tax dollars to drug using parents who are benefiting from our welfare system is not the answer to their economic and unemployment problems,” Haefner wrote. “By forcing them to enter drug treatment, or stop using, we end up with a win-win situation.”

Haefner added that “by ending this cycle of abuse and unemployment, they become more productive, gainfully employed, and better able to provide for their families.”

“Supporting their habits with your tax dollars defeats the whole purpose of providing support and likely exacerbates the reason they are unemployed to begin with—drug use,” Haefner said.

But opponents of the legislation questioned whether bill would solve long-stemming drug abuse problems. For instance, Rep. Genise Montecillo, D-St. Louis, said in a MissouriNet report that “until we solve the underlying problem of the drug abuse, you can take the money away all you want, those parents are going to find ways to get the drugs.”

Others questioned whether the bill’s cost.

“We’re going to cost the taxpayers of this state a million dollars,” said Rep. Jake Hummel, D-St. Louis City, in a House Communications video. “And we don’t know how much it’s going to save.”

Rep. Ellen Brandom’s bill, which passed 113-94 in the House and 29-5 in the Senate, is awaiting Gov. Jay Nixon’s signature. If he vetoes the legislation, lawmakers would have enough votes to override his objection.