Welfare reform in PA moving in the right direction, I hope. (Indiana: for sale, felony)

[hempfield mania]

House Bill 1297, which would establish a drug testing program for public assistance recipients who have been convicted of a drug-related felony, has been passed by the House with a vote of 164 to 23, Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) announced today.
“This approval by the House, with a bipartisan vote, indicates the determination to bring about substantive reform of our welfare system in Pennsylvania, and my legislation is a step in the right direction,” said Everett. “The bill is not designed to impugn everyone who is receiving assistance in a time of need. This measure is specifically directed at preventing abuse of the system by those who have been convicted of a drug-related felony and who continue to use illegal drugs.”
The bill would require the administration of a drug test to individuals who have a felony drug conviction in the previous five years, or those who are currently on probation for a felony drug conviction. Every six months, 20 percent of that group would be tested. A refusal to take the test results in a loss of benefits. The public assistance programs that apply in this care are the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, food stamps, General Assistance and state supplemental assistance. Medical Assistance is not impacted by federal eligibility requirements.
Everett says the bill contains a specific provision that anyone having to take this test that has a positive result will not have eligibility for Medical Assistance-paid drug and alcohol treatment revoked. He also notes that several other states such as Virginia, Wisconsin, Indiana, New Jersey, Arizona and Minnesota have similar provisions in effect.
Contact: Raymond Smith
rsmith@pahousegop.com
717.705.1834

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by hempfield mania

The public assistance programs that apply in this care are the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, food stamps, General Assistance and state supplemental assistance.

Because if you do illegal drugs, your kids deserve not to eat.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

This is both good and completely screwed up. The good part will come if this will saves the state some cash and gets people away from drugs (Massachusetts is offering people treatment, not sure if PA is doing the same). On the opposite end, keep in mind that coke, heroin, and meth only stay in your system for 48 hours so people can easily circumvent this test. If you count the cost of drug tests factored in with people who know how to pass these tests, we might actually end up losing money from this.

Also, I would like to see any CEO who is receiving bailouts or government money be subjected to the same drug tests. But we all know that won't happen because it's easy to go after poor people.

[robrobrob]

A felony conviction for drugs means that you delivered drugs or possessed such a large quantity of drugs that you are presumed to be dealing. Basically, you are making a living be dealing, or at the least supplementing your income with drug dealing. Frankly, these people shouldn't be parents.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

A felony conviction for drugs means that you delivered drugs or possessed such a large quantity of drugs that you are presumed to be dealing. Basically, you are making a living be dealing, or at the least supplementing your income with drug dealing.

Felony charges can also be brought for cultivating marijuana, or selling paraphenalia to a minor. And sales for any amount of money can result in felony charges. It doesn't have to be enough money to make a living or substantially supplement your income.

Frankly, these people shouldn't be parents.

OK, but some are going to be parents anyway. Now what?

[robrobrob]

I have never seen anyone charged with sellling paraphenia to a minor. Also, most of the time if you are caught with pot plants it will be reduced to a misdemeanor or a summary. Unless, of course the cops are out to get you or if you have a pretty significant growing operation. You have to understand that first time offenders are often given a break and the cops and the DA often offer you a plea to misdemeanor possession and not to a felony. So basically if you have a record already you will likelyh be hit with a felony.

I think the point of this legislation is to try and get people of the "state's payroll". You got to start someplace and starting with drug abusers is the easiest sell.

What group would you go after, if not drug abusers? You gotta pick one and can't say I would rather spend money and get them help. Remember most of them had counseling when they were convicted of a felony. Pick a group?

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Because if you do illegal drugs, your kids deserve not to eat.

They shouldn't be parents in the first place. The state should take kids away from dangerous drug addicted parents who abuse the system.

[hempfield mania]

Brian,
CYF should take the kids and find foster parents who will feed them. Your bleeding heart is bleeding in the wrong place, this time.

Yes, PA would still offer help/drug counseling from what I have read.

Aqua,
I agree, the CEO's should have to do the same if they received bailout $, speaking of which, there was an article today saying Chrysler was paying back 6.6 billion that is borrowed. I just read the headlines so I am not sure of the details.

[SuburbanPioneer]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

OK, but some are going to be parents anyway. Now what?

Correct. Are welfare checks issued to these "parents" really used to feed their children? Perhaps those food stamps offered for sale at half the value by these "parents" near the Giant Eagle on the North Side will be used to feed those kids?

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by SuburbanPioneer

Correct. Are welfare checks issued to these "parents" really used to feed their children? Perhaps those food stamps offered for sale at half the value by these "parents" near the Giant Eagle on the North Side will be used to feed those kids?

I know someone who works there and yes people do that outside the store.