As promised, House Republicans today introduced sweeping legislation to reform the state’s welfare system by limiting public assistance to 48 months for able-bodied adults.
The legislation also requires drug testing for recipients in certain cases and it takes steps to ensure that illegal immigrants don’t receive benefits.
House Bills 4409-10, introduced by state Reps. Ken Horn and Sharon Tyler, exempts from the 4-year time limit senior citizens, pregnant mothers, domestic violence victims, adults who are physically or mentally disabled, and adults with a disabled child at home.
“Welfare plays an important role in our society as a way to help people get back on their feet during a time of temporary crisis, not to create a lifetime of dependency,” said Horn, a Frankenmuth Republican.  “The plan is focused on empowering chronic welfare recipients to find work while still protecting those who are most vulnerable.”
According to the lawmakers, Michigan is the only state in the Midwest region that has not enacted lifetime limits for welfare assistance. Indiana has a 2-year limit, Ohio a 3-year limit and Illinois a 5-year limit.    President Bill Clinton enacted a federal lifetime limit on welfare assistance in 1996. 
The legislation does not affect the state’s food stamp program.  Residents would still be able to use food stamps for longer than 48 months.
“Our goal is to give people a helping hand until they can get back on their feet,” said Tyler,  a Niles Republican. “These limits continue this important service, while the exemptions ensure people who temporarily cannot work, or who might require permanent need, will still receive it.”
The legislation also requires the state to test recipients for substance abuse if a reasonable suspicion of abuse exists Those people could not use their benefits to buy tobacco or alcohol.
            “Drug testing will ultimately help people overcome their addictions so they can support themselves and their family,” Horn said.  


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