HARDEN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION

State Rep. Michael Harden of Toccoa announced Tuesday the filing of
House Bill 1389 - legislation requiring random drug testing for
recipients of unemployment compensation benefits and other state
assistance or state administered federal assistance.

"HB 1389 prevents people who use drugs illegally from receiving public
assistance from the taxpayers of Georgia," said Harden.

"If people are unwilling to follow the law, then they will not be
eligible for the voluntary assistance programs listed in this
legislation," he said.

This legislation, if passed, requires recipients of unemployment
benefits, state public assistance, and state administered federal
assistance to submit to a random drug testing program at least once
per year as a requirement of eligibility for benefits or assistance.

The cost of the drug test shall be paid for by the recipient or
deducted from the recipient's benefits or assistance.

Any recipient who refuses a drug test or who fails for illegal
consumption of any marijuana, dangerous drugs, or controlled
substances will be denied benefits or assistance.

The drug test program will not be required to receive public
assistance related to medical care or for children under the age of 18
receiving state administered assistance programs.

"These public assistance programs should always be viewed as
temporary. Those who use drugs illegally are hampering their ability
to find a job and gain their independence from these programs," said
state Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans), chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee.

"HB 1389 is a revenue neutral approach that helps ensure proper use of
public assistance without adding to state spending," he said.

Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia
have proposed legislation similar to HB 1389.

Other states, such as Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey,
Wisconsin and Virginia already require drug testing for convicted
felons or parolees receiving some forms of public assistance.

"These programs were meant to be a hand up, not a handout," said state
Rep. Jimmy Pruett of Eastman, one of Gov. Sonny Perdue's House floor
leaders and a co-sponsor of HB 1389.

"We should use these opportunities to help identify problems that
prevent people from getting jobs and becoming productive members of
society," he said.