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Court blocks Florida’s welfare drug testing law

A United States court in Orlando has granted Luis Lebron and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida an injunction against the new state law requiring welfare applicants to be drug tested, temporarily blocking it in the state. The order (.pdf) reads: Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction is GRANTED

Jul 31, 2020
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A United States court in Orlando has granted Luis Lebron and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida an injunction against the new state law requiring welfare applicants to be drug tested, temporarily blocking it in the state.
The order(.pdf) reads:
Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction is GRANTED. It is therefore ORDERED that the State is hereby ENJOINED from requiring Plaintiff to submit to a suspicionless drug test pursuant to Section 414.0652, Florida Statutes, as a condition for receipt of TANF benefits until this case is finally resolved on the merits. This Order does not address whether Florida is authorized to conduct drug testing of TANF applicants based on some quantum of individualized suspicion, an issue not before the Court.
Maria Kayanan, associate legal director at the ACLU of Florida and lead counsel in the case, says, “I’m delighted for our client and delighted to have confirmation that all of us remain protected from unreasonable, suspicionless government searches and seizures,” according to a press release from the group.
Lebron is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit filed against the state of Florida over the drug testing law. A Navy veteran and single father, Lebron was denied temporary assistance benefits he was otherwise qualified for because he refused to waive his Fourth Amendment rights and submit to a drug test.
Despite the uncertaintysurrounding the implementation of the new law, the measure has voter support.
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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