A federal appeals court has upheld a temporary ban on a Florida law requiring drug testing of welfare recipients.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled Tuesday that a lower court was right to temporarily halt enforcement of Florida's drug-testing program. The opinion says the state had failed to show a "substantial special need" for the testing.

The case is being closely watched in Georgia, where a similar law is on hold pending the outcome of the legal challenge.

Tuesday's decision means the Florida law would continue to not be enforced as the courts consider the underlying legal issues.

Tags: politics, ban, appeals court, welfare recipients, drug testing, Florida law