'Personal Growth' Mandate Passes Committee

By Kristina Torres
Atlanta Journal Constitution


A bill requiring "personal growth" activities for people who apply for food stamps in Georgia passed a Senate committee Monday, two days after the same committee approved drug tests for parents who seek welfare.

Changes to Senate Bill 312, however, could limit its reach. To get it passed, its sponsor, Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, agreed that it could be implemented only once there was enough funding. Officials with the Department of Human Services have said they can't afford the program right now because of millions of dollars in state cuts to their budget.

Ligon agreed to only pilot the program in five counties to be selected later. He had to add a host of exemptions, including for anyone who worked at least 30 hours a week, had a child under the age of 6, was a student enrolled at least part-time, was developmentally disabled or who received unemployment. He also dropped a proposal to require the same for parents who seek welfare.

Activities mandated by SB 312 would include working toward a GED or high school diploma, receiving technical training, attending self-development classes or enrolling in adult literacy classes."If you are receiving a public benefit, you need to work to improve yourself," Ligon said.

It passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a party line 8-3 vote. Democrats dissented, saying it was unnecessary and hurt people who were already struggling.

The committee also trimmed down the mandate Monday requiring drug tests for parents, removing Medicaid recipients from the bill. Senate Bill 292 would apply to applicants for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. TANF provides temporary financial help to low-income families with children.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said it would save the state money and help addicts by identifying those who need assistance. Albers based the proposal on Florida's drug-testing law, which a federal judge has temporarily blocked. Albers said he felt he had properly addressed confidentiality concerns.