PeninsulaNorthwest
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013
A5
Notification Bill would add potential system pact drug testing for welfare inked by PA BY RACHEL LA CORTE
average monthly payment of $373 through TANF. To be eligible, applicants must either have a child or be pregnant and meet certain income requirements. For example, a family of three with earnings of less than $955 each month would be eligible for cash assistance from TANF. Washington is among nearly two dozen states that have introduced bills this year to require some form of drug testing for public assistance recipients, according to Rochelle Finzel with the National Conference of State Legislatures.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Clallam agrees to buy advisory setup with city BY ROB OLLIKAINEN PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has inked an interlocal agreement with the city to purchase a new emergency-notification system. The Everbridge system will replace 21st Century, the technology being used at the city-run Peninsula Communications 9-1-1 dispatch center. Under the agreement that commissioners approved Tuesday, the county will administer the one-year contract, and the city will cover the $18,000 maximum cost. The city will pay half the cost in subsequent years, with the various agencies that use the system supplying the rest.
Needed upgrade “This started at the PenCom Advisory Committee as a discussion to upgrade the notification system that’s currently in use by law enforcement,” said Alice Hoffman, Clallam County Sheriff ’s Office chief civil deputy. “It was determined that it was costly and needed to
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OLYMPIA — A measure modeled on a new Utah law would add a potential drugtesting requirement to those seeking family welfare benefits in Washington state but would allow them to continue receiving money while seeking treatment as long as they stay drug-free. The bill will have its first public hearing before a Senate committee today. It would require applicants whom caseworkers have determined have a drug problem to undergo a drug test and participate in a treatment program to receive the monthly cash grant that is part of the state’s temporary assistance for needy families program, known as TANF. “I think taxpayers want to make darn sure the money is going for groceries for the kids and not for dope,” said Sen. Don Benton, a Republican from Vancouver who is sponsoring the Senate bill. “I think the taxpayers have a right to confirm that.” Though the numbers vary year by year, as of June, between 121,000 and 134,000 people received an
“You can put cellphone numbers in, you can put your office phone number in — all of that.” STEVE ROMBERG PenCom manager be upgraded.” PenCom Manager Steve Romberg said the Everbridge system is “so much more functional” because people can sign up with any telephone number to receive alerts. “You can put cellphone numbers in, you can put your office phone number in — all of that,” Romberg told commissioners.
Unlimited use “With the current system, it’s just the data we get from CenturyLink, which is just landline phones. And we all know that landlines are really going away,” Romberg said. Another advantage is the unlimited use. “We pay the $18,000 a year, and that is it,” Romberg said. PenCom, a division of the Port Angeles Police Department, has interlocal agreements with 17 agencies for which it dispatches.
Legal challenges Seven states have such laws on the books, but some that have passed blanket welfare drug-testing laws have faced legal challenges amid constitutional concerns. Florida passed a welfare drug-testing program in 2011, but it’s on hold after a challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing the case. The implementation of a law passed by Georgia last
can continue receiving benefits while seeking treatment. Utah’s law took effect in August. Currently, the state Department of Social and Health Services determines during a face-to-face interview whether an applicant has a drug problem. If so, the applicant is given a referral they must attend where a determination on treatment is decided, said Babs Roberts, director of the DSHS community services division. If the applicant fails to follow up with the referral or treatment plan, they receive reduced benefits for up to four months, during which time case managers continue to work with them. If they still don’t comply after four months, their benefits are terminated. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee opposes the measure, as does the state ACLU. Because Angel said her bill would not receive a hearing in the Democratic-controlled House, Benton said he offered to introduce it in the Senate, which is controlled by a Republican-leaning majority coalition that includes two Democrats.
year also is on hold, with officials there saying they’re awaiting the outcome of the Florida case. In 1999, a drug-testing program in Michigan was halted after five weeks and eventually ended with an appeals court ruling it was unconstitutional. Additional states require individuals with felony drug convictions to comply with drug-testing requirements to be eligible for assistance. Others, including Washington state, have an interview screening process that does not include a drug test, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Republican Rep. Jan Angel of Port Orchard has introduced a companion bill in the House. She said that because of the constitutional issues raised in other states, she modeled her bill on the measure approved last year in Utah, which requires only those shown through a questionnaire to have a “reasonable likelihood” that they’re using drugs to take a drug test. As in the Washington state measure, applicants in Utah who fail the drug test
Inslee unveils $120 million jobs package THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee has unveiled a $120 million jobs package that would provide tax breaks for new companies in certain targeted fields, create 500 new slots in aerospace training programs and assemble a commission to ensure that the state’s colleges and universities are turning out students with math- and science-
________ Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
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