Legislative Findings

TITLE 56 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND WELFARE CHAPTER 2 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LAW 56-209i. Legislative findings. It is the intent of the legislature that the provisions of this act enhance the employability of participants in the temporary assistance for families in Idaho (TAFI) programs through substance abuse screening and, where appropriate, testing and treatment. The legislature finds that a significant number of employers use preemployment drug testing. Substance abuse adds to the difficulties such individuals have in securing employment. The legislature also finds that substance abuse in and of itself impairs personal responsibility and self-sufficiency and stands in the way of the very intent of the TAFI program to care for the health and welfare of certain qualified recipients and in so doing results in welfare costs that burden the state’s taxpayers. The legislature further finds that substance abuse adversely affects a significant portion of the workforce, which results in billions of dollars of lost productivity each year and poses a threat to the safety of the workplace and to the public safety and security. In balancing the interests of taxpayers, participants in the TAFI program and potential employers against the interests of those who will be screened and tested under this act, the legislature finds that screening, testing and treatment as provided for in this act are in the greater interests of all concerned.