By: Social Affairs Committee of Texas__. B. No. _____

By: Social Affairs Committee of Texas__. B. No. _____

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

Welfare Eligibility Reform Bill, will create a drug test prior to receiving welfare, and at least one random drug test every two months.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE TEXAS AMERICAN LEGION BOY’S STATE:

SECTION 1. General Overview

The Bill will test recipients for narcotic drugs. A tax-free program that has a three-strike system, and an incentive program. Dividing the State of Texas into 30 centers that reflect by population.

Section 2. Basics of the Bill

A random drug test will be conducted, at least once every 2 months. Any positive results for any illegal narcotics will result in reprimands

Failure results in

First offense half of welfare is taken for a duration of 3 months

Second offense three months of no State assistance

Third offense no longer in the welfare program, however the individual will become eligible to reapply for Welfare after a time period of 2 years since the loss of Welfare.

Section 3. Logistics

With an estimated 333,000 individuals on Welfare in the State of Texas, the initial start up cost to fund this bill would be $13,986,000. To provide the funds, 30 Blood Labs must be State Certified with a $466,200 certification fee paid to the Welfare Program of the State of Texas. The 30 centers would cover the initial start up fee. With 30 centers there would be an approximated 11,100 Welfare recipients coming to each center, and each center would receive $42 per drug test from the Texas Welfare Program. With the 11,100 individuals reporting to their first drug test, the clinics that paid their State Certification fee would break even upon their first round of tests. To continue funding for this program, a fee for the renewal of State Certification will be necessary every 2 year. Allowing the Blood Labs to have a 2-year profit of $4,662,000. No further money assistance is needed.

SECTION 4. Effect on Texas

Taxpayers can be confident that the money they are already paying to Texas Welfare is being used responsibly, and properly. All recipients of Welfare would be put through the drugs test giving the public peace of mind that the money is not being used feverously. With the policy put into affect, there should be a projected decline, as individuals on Welfare would have the incentives to stop using illegal narcotics. This reform will help in the structure of the Welfare system and create a more uniform and trustworthy program.

This Act takes effect January 1, 2015.