In a brazen assault on civil liberties, Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed legislation requiring adults applying for public assistance to undergo drug screening. “It’s the right thing for taxpayers,” Scott said after signing the measure. “It’s the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance. We don’t want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs.”
Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services will be required to conduct the drug tests on adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The aid recipients would be responsible for the cost of the screening, which they would recoup in their assistance if they qualify. Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children.
Gov. Scott came under fire shortly after the signing. Rep. Corrine Brown said the tests “represent an extreme and illegal invasion of personal privacy.” “Indeed, investigating people when there is probable cause to suspect they are abusing drugs is one thing,” Brown added in a joint statement with four other Florida democrats. “But these tests amount to strip searching our state’s most vulnerable residents merely because they rely on the government for financial support during these difficult economic times.”