Local District Representatives Dustin Hightower and Kevin Cooke say they are co-sponsors of the latest version of legislation that would require welfare recipients to pass a drug test. "It's hard earned tax-payer money that pays these benefits," says District 18 Rep. Cooke. "For individuals who take these benefits, then use, at the very least... but then possibly sell drugs, that is not the appropriate use of taxpayer money and obviously not the intent.
District 68 Representative Dustin Hightower says critics have questioned what happens to the children of drug users punished by the plan. "What you would do in the event that there's a child involved, and the parents are the ones who test positive for the drugs, the court would then designate someone to step in and hold the funds for the child," he says. "The way the language is in that bill currently states that that person would be the next closest family member. However, if there is not a family member, the court can appoint someone to step in and handle those funds for the benefit of the child."
Cooke says the proposed legislation could have a committee hearing and make it to the floor before the end of February.