Michiganders who fail or refuse to take a drug test as part of a job search would lose their unemployment benefits under a bill in Lansing.
The measure cleared a state Senate panel Wednesday.
We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher.
Under the bill, failing or refusing to take a drug test would be the same as turning down a good job offer. That person would no longer be eligible for unemployment.
Republican state Senator Mark Jansen says businesses pay for unemployment – not the government. And he says this is something they want.
“I think, because employers pay that bill, it is fair that they have some say in this process,” he says.
Opponents of the legislation call it a political ploy. They say it only serves to stigmatize people on unemployment.
The bill now goes to the full state Senate.