State Representative Ken King (R, Canadian) filed a bill on Tuesday that would require drug testing for anyone applying for Temporary Assistance For Needy Families benefits, or TANF.
House Bill 822 would bar anyone from obtaining government assistance for 12 months if they fail a drug test, or six months with the completion of a drug offender education course.
If this bill sounds familiar, there's a reason. King has filed similar measures in every legislative session he’s been a part of since he was elected in 2012.
During the 83rd Legislative Session, King told members of the Human Services Committee why he thinks it’s such an important issue.
“If you come to work for me in my business, you get drug tested," King testified. “We’re mandated to drug test. I don't understand why the federal government is the only place where drug testing isn’t the norm.”
The bills haven’t been without controversy. One potential issue is the cost of a large scale drug testing program. But King says any amount would be worth it.
“I'd like to see the numbers about how many people are actually on these benefits and how many of those are actually doing drugs,” King said. “I would like to see the offset cost of that.”
Opponents say even if the bill passes the legislature and is signed into law, legal challenges would tie the issue up in court and ultimately likely be deemed unconstitutional.
Judy Powell, with Parent Guidance Center testified against the measure in 2013.
During the 87th Legislative Session HB423 was introduced, then sent to the Human Services Committee. The session ended before lawmakers could take any formal action on the measure.
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