The Michigan House has approved a pair of proposals that could result in some welfare recipients losing certain benefits if they flunk drug tests or have a chronically truant student in the family.

House Bill 4118 would require suspicion-based drug screening and testing for some welfare recipients in the state's family independence program, which provides cash assistance benefits. The plan would not cover food assistance benefit programs. The program, if approved in law, could start as a pilot in a handful of counties before expanding statewide.

The bill was approved by a 77-33 vote in the House. Republicans who hold the majority in the House generally supported the bill, and it also picked up some Democratic votes – although most Democrats opposed it.

House Bill 4388 would disqualify families from the family independence program if a child within the family does not meet school attendance requirements in certain cases. It would put into state law a policy adopted by the Department of Human Services in October. DHS has already removed a handful of families from the program due to child truancy. The bill was approved in the House by a 78-32 vote.

Supporters say the bills are aimed at helping people become self-sufficient, while some opponents consider the measures to be unfair and punitive. Both measures next advance to the Republican-led Senate for its consideration.

The drug testing program was approved by the House last year, but it stalled in the Senate. The measure is expected to get some consideration in the Senate this year.

“I believe hard-earned tax dollars should be used efficiently,” Rep. Jeff Farrington, R-Utica and the bill’s sponsor, said on the House floor. “There are limited resources and those resources should go to those with highest need.”

Farrington said the measure would help welfare recipients prepare for applying for jobs, during which they may have to pass drug tests.

If screening gives the Department of Human Services a reasonable suspicion to believe the applicant or recipient has been using illegal drugs, a test would be required. Failing the test or refusing to take it could make an applicant or recipient ineligible for the benefits in some cases. But the legislation has exceptions.

Those who fail the drug test for the first time would be referred to a regional substance abuse coordinating agency for treatment. If the welfare recipient follows the treatment program, they would continue to receive benefits.

Only people who test positive would have to pay for the cost of the tests. That means the program could cost the state more money for testing and screening than originally anticipated. On the other hand, it potentially could save the state some money on welfare benefits.

Some Democrats said the measure could unfairly hurt children whose parents use drugs.

Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright, D-Muskegon, called it a “chapter” in the “Republican war against the poor.”

Some Democrats had pushed for lawmakers to have to undergo similar drug tests, but those amendments did not advance.

Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, said he opposed the bill because he doesn’t think the government should collect DNA from citizens not charged with a crime.

The truancy-related measure also was considered punitive by many Democrats who opposed it.

DHS said the intent of its policy related to school attendance and welfare is aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and moving families toward self-sufficiency.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Al Pscholka, (R-Stevensville), said the legislation stresses the importance of education in the reduction of poverty. He said the bill is not intended to be a permanent elimination of benefits, noting that parents can re-enroll for benefits once their child has three straight weeks of school attendance.

Email Tim Martin at tmartin4@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TimMartinMI