Amazing, under this bill H 813, Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous would not qualify under this requirement for treatment. It looks like the government is realizing what a failure 12 step programs are.
Drug felon bill advances in Florida House
2:09 PM, Feb. 21, 2012
A measure to require drug felons to undergo treatment before receiving temporary cash assistance passed a House hurdle Tuesday on a party-line vote.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, the measure (HB 813) would allow felons who have not undergone treatment to designate someone else to collect funds from Temporary Aid to Needy Families, a federal program administered by the state. Following public testimony and debate, the bill passed 12-6.
“Sometimes all people need to do the right thing is a bit of encouragement,” said Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who supported the measure, one of several recent efforts to keep federal tax dollars out of the hands of drug users.
The bill would require applicants who have been convicted of a felony drug possession or trafficking to certify that they had successfully completed an approved drug treatment program to be eligible for TANF benefits. Participation in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, treatment programs widely accessed in prisons, would not qualify.