
Wisconsin will start drug testing its welfare recipients starting Monday, WSAU reports.
Gov. Scott Walker signed off on the legislation, as-written by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. The rule requires testing able-bodied adults seeking certain benefits.
“Employers across the state frequently tell me they have good-paying jobs available in high-demand fields, but need their workers to be drug-free,” Walker said in a statement. “These important entitlement reforms will help more people find family-supporting jobs, moving them from government dependence to true independence.”
The newly-approved rule is the next step in the department’s process of developing and implementing their drug screening and testing for certain able-bodied adults seeking benefits and/or training through Transform Milwaukee, Transitional Jobs, and noncustodial parents in the W-2 program.
Under the plan, those who test positive for a controlled substance without a prescription would be eligible for a drug treatment plan.