Changes to Michigan’s Wefare Program Awaiting Governor’s Signature

Legislation that would require some welfare recipients in Michigan to do community service to collect a check is on its way to Governor Rick Snyder's desk for his signature

.

Senate Bill 276 received final approval on Tuesday on a vote of 91-19.

Mlive.com is reporting that the bill will make community service a "core activity" that will satisfy work requirements set by the State Department of Human Services.   The department adminsters the Family Independence program for temporary cash assistance in the state.

The bill made national headlines when some Republicans said it would "make certain those receiving benefits have some skin in the game."

In addition to community service, which would be tracked for compliance, assistance recipients could also qualify for payments in one of a number of ways, including on-the-job training, job search and assistance programs, educational training or paid employment.

A companion bill would allow for 'suspicion-based' drug testing for recipients.  Although, separate legislation to that effect has won approval in both the House and Senate, there is yet to be agreement on the exact wording of the proposal.