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People seeking unemployment benefits can be drug tested, congress says

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WASHINGTON DC - As part of the new payroll tax cut compromise, states will now be allowed to require those who apply for unemployment benefits to be drug tested.

Congress has passed a $143 billion dollar package Friday to extend a payroll tax cut and unemployment through the end of the year.

As part of the package, it also allows states to drug test unemployed applicants although it is not a requirement as originally proposed.

States who do start requiring drug tests can only do so for those who lose their job due to a failed drug test or work in an industry where drug tests happen regularly.