Senate panel kills bill to drug test some welfare applicants

HELENA (AP) — A Senate committee tabled a measure on Friday that would require certain welfare applicants to take drug tests in Montana.

Lee Newspapers of Montana reported that the Republican-led Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee voted 6-1 to table House Bill 200 sponsored by Republican Randy Pinocci of Sun River.

Committee chairman Fred Thomas of Stevensville told Lee Newspapers that while he has sympathy for trying to rein in what is seen as welfare, it has to be done the right way.

"We did not see that this was the right way," he said.

Thomas and two other Republican committee members voted to kill the bill, along with the three Democratic members. Republican Sen. David Howard of Park City was the only member to vote in support.

Under the measure, people who apply for assistance under the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program would have to fill out a questionnaire about drug abuse and possibly take a drug test based on their responses.

People who test positive for drugs wouldn't receive benefits unless they agree to complete a 30-day treatment program.

Pinocci, who said the bill is "overwhelmingly popular," will try to get someone in the Senate to blast the bill out of committee to the floor for a vote.

In February, the House passed the bill 55-45 with all 41 Democrats and four Republicans opposing.