ACLU Files Class-Action Suit to Stop Welfare Drug Tests; Gov. Scott Confident of Prevailing

As threatened, the ACLU has sued the state of Florida in a bid to end drug testing of welfare recipients.

The screening program, which went into effect July 1, was branded by the ACLU as a violation of Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure.

Filing the case as a class action in U.S. District Court in Orlando, the ACLU listed Luis Lebron as the plaintiff. Lebron is described as an Orlando-area Navy veteran who applied for benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The state Department of Children and Families, which administers the program, did not have an immediate comment.

"We received the notice this morning and are reviewing," DCF spokesman Joe Follick said Wednesday.

Lane Wright, spokesman for Gov. Rick Scott, said, "Its important we make sure taxpayer money isnt going to help pay for someones drug habit, but that the money is going to help the children for whom it was intended. Thats what this law does.

"Were confident were on solid legal ground. And Congress seems confident too, since they passed a law authorizing states to drug test those who would receive cash assistance," Wright said.