The Florida Senate is sending a strong message to welfare recipients. Senators passed legislation today requiring Floridians receiving cash assistance to pass four drug tests a year to continue receiving benefits.

The bill passed over objections from Democrats who say it’s not fair to only test welfare recipients.

One hundred thousand of the state’s poorest people are under suspicion of drug use. They’re the people in the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Thursday the State Senate voted to drug test them.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Steve Oelrich of Gainesville, says testing the recipients will make sure tax dollars aren’t spent on drugs and keep kids away from drug abuse.

“This is also geared toward the well-being of children.”

But there’s no proof the people receiving cash assistance use more drugs than other group. So, opponents of the bill, led by Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando, suggested drug testing everyone who receives state money.

“It’s trying to say in effect that all welfare recipients are drug dealers and that’s not true.”

The plan failed.

The legislation calls for four drug tests a year at a cost of about $25 a test. The original bill forced the welfare recipients to pay for their tests, but it was amendment to allow reimbursements for people who pass the test.

But people who failed wouldn’t just be out $25. They’d also be forced out of the program, and if they couldn’t find someone to accept the money for their kids, the state could take them away.

Governor Rick Scott says the bill protects taxpayer money.

“They’re paying the bill and they are often drug screened for their jobs. On top of that it’s good for families. It creates another reason why people will think again about using drugs.”

Opponents of the bill say even if Scott signs the legislation into law, the battle won’t end there they expect lawsuits.

Scott says he will sign the bill. The testing will begin July 1.