BY OLYMPIA MEOLA

A Senate measure to drug screen some welfare recipients was sent this morning to the House of Delegates’ money committee — the same panel that voted earlier this session to carry over a House version of the measure to 2013 to study the costs.

The House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee this morning conformed the bill brought by Sen. Stephen Martin, R-Chesterfield, to the House version sponsored by Del. Richard P. Bell, R-Staunton, and sent it to the House Appropriations Committee.

The House money committee earlier this month carried Bell’s measure over to next year’s General Assembly session to allow more time to study its potential costs — pegged at $1.3 million out of the general fund in the first year and about $1 million annually after that.

Under Bell’s bill, local social services departments would be required to screen people participating in Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) to determine if there’s reason to believe the person is using illegal substances.

If so, a formal test would be done, which could include a drug test. It’s unclear what the “screening” would entail.

Anyone who tests positive or refuses to participate “without good cause” would not be able to receive benefits unless the person enters into a drug treatment program. The person would have an opportunity to reapply.

Del. John M. O’Bannon III, R-Henrico, this morning noted the questions about the House bill’s potential costs, saying “I think it’s fair to treat these the same way.”