Alabama Senate approves welfare drug testing Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 4:02 pm, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 (AP) — The Alabama Senate is calling for drug testing of welfare recipients with a history of using illegal drugs. Democrats opposed to the bill rushed to the chamber to complain about Marsh using a quick procedural move that is normally reserved for non-contentious bills. The bill provides that when a person applies to the state Department of Human Resources for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the person is suspected of using illegal drugs if they have had a drug conviction in the last five years. The person must take a drug test paid for by the state and will get the welfare benefits while awaiting the results of the drug test.