Associated Press Published

Push to Drug Test Welfare Recipients Dead

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A push to drug test some welfare recipients is dead in the West Virginia Legislature.

On Wednesday, Republican bill sponsor Del. Patrick Lane confirmed the bill was done for the session.

The Republican-led House voted to table the bill Tuesday.

Wednesday is the final day to pass bills out of at least one chamber. The Senate version of the welfare drug testing bill hasn’t passed, either.

In the West Virginia bills, drug testing would have been based on reasonable suspicion.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 12 states have passed laws requiring drug testing for public assistance.

In December, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Florida’s law was unconstitutional. Florida’s testing covered all state program applicants.

West Virginia’s 60-day legislative session concludes March 14.