INDIANAPOLIS —Days after its author cited constitutional problems and pulled it, a measure that would push both public welfare recipients and state lawmakers to take drug tests has returned.
The Indiana House considered a handful of amendments to the bill Monday. Accepted was one that allows those who are in treatment programs to continue receiving benefits. Rejected was an attempt to have executives whose corporations get tax breaks or economic incentives to pass drug tests, too.
But the hour-long debate was much wider-ranging.
It’s an effort by freshman Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, to launch a three-county pilot program to test at random those who apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits.
That program would cost between $1 million and $1.5 million over a two-year period, according to a fiscal analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.
“The philosophical reason we’re talking about testing TANF recipients is because quite frankly, those are people who don’t have skin in the game right now,” McMillin said. “We have a system right now that rewards a free lunch.”
Democrats responded with an amendment that would have subjected top executives at businesses and organizations that receive loans, grants, tax credits and other economic development incentives to the same drug testing requirements.
“The basic point is, let’s stop blaming poor people for everything. They didn’t get us to where we are. They’re looking for us to help them,” said Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City.
“The people that actually control everything in this state and this country ought to at least be able to live by the same rules that to this point have benefitted them so much.”
McMillin and other House Republicans opposed that amendment.
“There’s a fundamental difference between somebody who already has skin in the game,” he said, “and the other areas we’re talking about testing.”
Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, disputed that characterization.
“They’ve got their whole body in the game because they’re trying to get back on their feet,” he said.
One amendment that was accepted was offered by Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville. It allows those who have tested positive, but then enrolled in a drug treatment program, to continue receiving benefits.
“I think what I’m doing would change behavior,” Riecken said of the amendment.
Another adopted Monday was a tweak to an amendment lawmakers approved on Friday.
Then, they agreed to include themselves in the bill, saying lawmakers would have to pass drug and alcohol tests in order to receive their pay.
Monday, McMillin successfully pushed for changes that dropped the alcohol portion of the test, and also turned it into a random test, rather than a requirement of all lawmakers.
The chamber is expected to vote on House Bill 1007 on Tuesday.