The Health and Human Services Committee of the South Dakota Legislature killed a bill that would have required drug testing for welfare applicants under age 65 before they receive food stamps or cash assistance.
Representative Lynn DiSanto of Rapid City brought the bill to the House….
Lynne Valenti is Secretary of the state Department of Social Services.
She says this bill just doesn’t make sense for South Dakota….
Valenti says the average length of time people receive TANF or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families is about four-months. She also says states that have drug testing in place have not shown results that make it worth the cost.
Representative Scott Munsterman of Brookings says he has voted for this bill in the past…
The bill was defeated on a 9-4 vote.
