Indiana House panel OKs welfare drug test pilot program

INDIANAPOLIS | Some Indiana welfare recipients would be required to pass a drug test under legislation approved by a House committee Tuesday.

House Bill 1007, which now goes to the full House, creates a pilot program in three counties -- to be named later -- where adult recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families payments would lose benefits if they fail a drug test.

The nonpartisan Legislative Service Agency projects the drug test pilot program could cost Indiana up to $1.1 million to implement and administer in the first year.

State Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, the sponsor, said the long-term savings will justify the upfront costs.