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The Michigan Capitol, as seen in the early hours of Friday, December 13, following the state Legislature's final votes of the year.

(Jonathan Oosting | MLive Media Group)

LANSING, MI -- The Michigan Senate on Thursday, in one of its final votes of the 2013 session, advanced legislation allowing suspicion-based drug testing for some welfare recipients.

Senate Bill 275, sponsored by Sen. Joe Hune (R-Hamburg Township), is tie-barred to a related measure approved by the House in May. Neither bill has been approved by both chambers but each could be finalized next year.

The legislation would direct the Michigan Department of Human Services to launch a drug screening and testing pilot project in three or more counties to confirm eligibility for the Family Independence Program, which provides temporary cash assistance to low-income families with children and pregnant women.

"We have children going to school hungry every day without proper clothing because their parents are addicted to drugs and alcohol," said state Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge). "They receive welfare money but they don't spend it on their children. They spend it on their addiction."

The measure passed the Senate in a straight party-line vote. All Democrats opposed the measure despite winning an amendment that would allow children whose parents test positive for illegal drugs to continue receiving benefits through a third party, such as a guardian.

"In this instance, these kids have already suffered the consequences of their parents' substance abuse, and they do not need to continue to suffer," said Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield), who warned that his amendment improved the bill but did not fix it.

The vote was the latest move by the Republican-led Legislature to link drug testing and government benefits. Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law a bill allowing the state to end unemployment benefits for residents who fail a drug test required by a prospective employer.

Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) proposed an amendment to the welfare bill that would have required lawmakers to take drug tests, a similar tactic employed by opponents in the unemployment debate, but the amendment was dismissed following a ruling that it was not directly related to the measure.

Jones, in a year-end floor speech, countered by personally offering to pay for a drug test for any Democrat who wanted to submit to one. Sen. Morris Hood (D-Detroit) responded with a brief swipe at Jones' "intellect" before capping the year with a heartfelt speech about his wife's recent death and life's opportunities.

Under the proposal, "reasonable suspicion" by welfare recipients could require them to submit to a drug test. Upon failure, they would be referred to a substance abuse program for rehabilitation. A second failed test could lead to termination of the public assistance.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.