MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Legislature has passed a bill requiring people to apply for three jobs before seeking welfare benefits.
The Senate voted 28-1 today to go along with changes the House made in the bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur. The bill applies to applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, commonly called welfare. It not only requires applicants to apply for three jobs, but to keep applying for jobs once they receive benefits.
The Senate also gave final approval today to a bill providing new penalties for welfare fraud. On Wednesday, the House gave final approval to a bill prohibiting the use of welfare benefit cards at liquor stores, bars, tattoo parlors, psychic networks and strip clubs.
The bills now go to the governor for review.