Federal court hears challenge to drug screening welfare recipients

[JURIST] A judge for the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida [official website] on Monday began reviewing the lawsuit challenging a Florida state law requiring drug testing before welfare applicants can receive benefits. Judge Mary Scriven heard arguments [ACLU press release] Monday on both the constitutionality of the drug testing law and whether plaintiff, Luis Lebron, could represent a class. The judge granted the Florida Department of Children and Families a two-week extension [AP report] to challenge…