Ga. Senate panel passes food stamp drug test bill

ATLANTA (AP) - A Georgia Senate Committee has narrowly approved a bill requiring food stamp recipients who are suspected of drug abuse to submit to drug testing.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the bill passed the Health and Human Services Committee Monday in 5-4 vote. Chairwoman Renee Unterman, a Buford Republican, voted to approve the measure to break a tie.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Greg Morris, a Vidalia Republican, says he tried working around questions on the proposal's constitutionality since similar laws have been shot down by court challenges.

Under this proposed law, the drug testing would apply when a Department of Health and Human Services employee reports reasonable suspicion of drug use.