By Michael Sluss

Citing uncertainty about the proposal’s cost, a House of Delegates subcommittee voted this morning to hold off on legislation that would subject Virginia welfare recipients to drug testing.

On a voice vote, a House Appropriations subcommittee recommended carrying House Bill 73 over to next year. If the full committee follows the subcommittee’s recommendation, the controversial legislation will be shelved for the year.

Subcommittee members cited concerns about the legislation’s cost. The Department of Planning and Budget estimates that the drug testing provision would cost the state $1.3 million in its first year of implementation and $1 million annually in later years.

“It’s just that the money situation is tight,” said Del. Riley Ingram, R-Hopewell, the subcommittee’s chairman.

The bill’s sponsor, Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, questioned the accuracy of the cost projections, saying “they’re all estimates.”

“I don’t know how really to disprove these numbers when we don’t a database of actual testing that has taken place,” Bell said.

The legislation would require local social services agencies to screen recipients in the state welfare program to determine whether they use illegal drugs. Those who refuse to comply or fail a drug test would lose Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits for one year unless they enter a drug treatment program. A recipient would have one opportunity to be reinstated to the program by complying with screening, assessment and treatment requirements.

An identical Senate bill has been referred to the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee.

Critics of the bill argue that it unfairly targets the poor and that there is no evidence that the poor are more likely to abuse drugs than the rest of the population. Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke, made a motion to kill the bill this morning but other subcommittee members would not go along with it.

Supporters of the legislation say the drug testing provision would help ensure that TANF funds are being used for legitimate needs. But some who have expressed support for the bill had concerns about its cost.

“I think by carrying it over (to 2013), we can get maybe a little better understanding of what it’s going to cost,” said Del. John O’Bannon, R-Henrico County.

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Article source: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/house-panel-puts-brakes-welfare-drugtesting-bill