A Kansas Senate leader is preparing legislation to require drug testing for people who receive cash assistance from the state.
Senate Vice President Jeff King said Friday his proposal would also deny unemployment benefits to people who fail drug tests they take when seeking new jobs.
King, of Independence, said he expects to have a bill drafted within two weeks.
The drug-testing requirement would apply to adults who receive cash benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
The proposal would also require prospective employers to tell the state Department of Labor when a job-seeker who's receiving unemployment benefits fails a drug test.
King's proposal already has been endorsed by House Speaker Ray Merrick, a conservative Stilwell Republican.
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t-bone
Saturday 19 January 2013 12:01 Report this comment
there is also a bill in legislationcalled senate bill 9. it's to benefit people who have nausea from cancer, epilepsy, chemo. it was proposed by senator david haley. i highly urge support for this bill
t-bone
Saturday 19 January 2013 13:47 Report this comment
it would also be good for kansas. it would make us a leader instead of being 50 years behind the times like usual
NeedAPaddle
Saturday 19 January 2013 13:56 Report this comment
They need to drug test Kansas Senate and the House too !!!!! Lets drug test them all !!!!
callme67410
Saturday 19 January 2013 16:37 Report this comment
This is long overdue. If you want assistance and can physically work then you should be able to pass a drug test. I am tired of seeing people buying steaks with their welfare cards. I work full time and eat whats on sale.
Aurora.
Saturday 19 January 2013 23:44 Report this comment
As much as I am for keeping on top of people using my tax money I see this as another freedom being lost under some guise. I agree if you are going to drug test part of society drug test all of society. It seems those we elect keep finding ways to take away freedoms of the people who elect them. Its big brother exercising their muscles.
Aurora.
Saturday 19 January 2013 23:47 Report this comment
t-bone why are you not using your iamnotgonnagetu id any longer. Evidently you were afraid to mention senate bill 9 is for Medical Marijuana now why would you be afraid to mention that?
TheCleaner
Sunday 20 January 2013 00:26 Report this comment
The last thing Kansas needs is medical marijuana so these pot heads can claim a medical condition to use drugs.
Fredd
Sunday 20 January 2013 07:02 Report this comment
I think if an employer was forced to turn over failed drug tests to The State it would probably be challenged in Federal Court as a 4th Amendment violation (unreasonable search and seizure). As to denying benefits to a person that fails a drug test, that should increase crime rate in our state 10 fold. Think about thousands of guys with a monkey on their back running around with empty wallets. How about instead of denying them benefits, force them to take drug counseling as a condition of receiving benefits? This way we help them get their lives back on track and become productive members of society.
ksfarmdude
Sunday 20 January 2013 08:57 Report this comment
this is long overdo, its time these lazy druggies that sit home all day getting high and being bums get out and get a job if they want their pot , taxpayers shouldn't have to support them alot of these handout programs need to be stopped theres too many loosers out there that know how to work the system
TheCleaner
Monday 21 January 2013 01:12 Report this comment
I have to agree but still where does the government stop? In this case its welfare, we already have employer. and in sports will newborns be next on the list?