HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58
(By Delegates Blair, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger,
Border, Canterbury, Carmichael, Cowles, Duke, Ellem, Evans,
Hamilton, Ireland, Lane, Louisos, McGeehan, C. Miller,
J. Miller, Overington, Porter, Romine, Rowan, Schadler,
Schoen, Shott, Sobonya, Sumner and Walters)
Requesting the Legislature establish a Joint Legislative Committee
on Substance Abuse and Public Assistance for the purpose of
studying the use of random drug testing and other measures to
reduce or eliminate substance abuse among recipients of public
assistance, and proposing legislation that achieve this goal.
Whereas
, The Legislature serves as custodians of the people's
money, and incumbent in that responsibility is a duty to ensure
that tax dollars are spent prudently and efficiently; and
Whereas
, The Legislature is also responsible for protecting
those in our state that most need government's help, and while
substance abuse transcends social status, economic status, race and
age, substance abuse disproportionately affects persons of limited
economic means and their families; and
Whereas
, Just as schools and the workplace are worth of
protection from scourges of drug abuse, families in need are worthy
of the same protection; and
Whereas
, Sound public and economic policy requires that the
Legislature attain the maximum efficiency of every tax dollar for the greatest good, making it a moral obligation of the state to
ensure that moneys allocated for public assistance are reaching the
persons who most need it and are used as intended for basic
subsistence; and
Whereas
, Drug testing in both private and public sector
employment is becoming increasingly common, the Legislature has a
duty to the citizens to assure those persons receiving public
assistance are in the best possible position to reenter the
workforce; and
Whereas
, Current economic and unemployment conditions require
a reinvigorated focus on the goals of public assistance programs,
which serves as a safety net for those who need it, and ultimately
returning those people back into the workforce; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That a Joint Legislative Study Committee on Substance Abuse
and Public Assistance be created for the purposes of studying the
feasibility of implementing a random drug testing policy for public
assistance and unemployment benefit recipients; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Legislative Committee on
Substance Abuse propose legislation for the Legislature's adoption
creating a random drug testing policy and other measures as the
joint committee may see fit to include; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study committee analyze and consider the policies urged in this resolution, along with similar
or alternative policies and proposals, including those from other
states, for effectiveness, funding ramifications and
constitutionality, for the purpose of inclusion in the committee's
proposed legislation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study committee establish a
mechanism, either via website or telephone, for public opinion to
be voiced and heard regarding the issue of substance abuse and
public assistance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study committee include in proposed
legislation a finding that public assistance is a privilege, and
that in consideration for receiving public assistance recipients
must adhere to conditions as imposed by the Legislature.
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