Sen. Michael Watson proposes drug testing welfare recipients

Sen. Michael Watson proposes drug testing welfare recipients

Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula, said one of the first bills he will propose this week is a measure that requires public benefit recipients to take mandatory drug tests and verify U.S. citizenship.

The bill will include people receiving Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards and other state assistance program benefits.

“Our system is abused,” Watson said. “Across the state, lawmakers have big hearts and truly want to help people, but we want to help people who also want to help themselves.”

Watson said the programs are meant as a temporary helping-hand for people going thorough a hardship.

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