House Passes Bill To Drug Test State Employees

March 3, 2012

The House voted largely along party lines Friday to allow state agencies to set up drug testing programs for their workers over the objection of Democrats who said it wasn’t just unconstitutional, but a bully tactic.

The bill follows a similar requirement for random drug testing and pre-employment screening put in place a year ago by executive order of Gov. Rick Scott. That order is on hold pending the outcome of a court challenge, with Scott telling most agencies in June to hold off on the plan until the courts rule.

Regardless, the state prisons agency has gone ahead with drug testing of employees.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, doesn’t require the drug tests, but would let agencies set up such programs. It limits the number of employees tested to no more than 10 percent of each agency’s workforce every three months.

Comments

14 Responses to “House Passes Bill To Drug Test State Employees”

  1. rick on March 6th, 2012 1:58 pm

    Are we still drug testing the welfare collecting people?

  2. 429SCJ on March 5th, 2012 5:41 am

    I think drug testing should be based on job performance. If a person is doing a good job, leave them alone. I think you guys should also unionize. Nothing scares a despot politician more than a block of union voters.

  3. Molino-Anon on March 4th, 2012 3:50 pm

    If I have to drug test to gain employment or remain employed then I feel that ALL government officials from the President down should be doing the same.

    Some of the richest political families in America made their fortune boot legging and other illegal means to gain money and they don’t have to drug test?!

    On top of that they want to drug test people for public assistance? Sounds like the rick kicking the poor again.

    Drug Tests for Everyone!

  4. art on March 4th, 2012 2:47 pm

    political carpetbaggery.

  5. molino jim on March 3rd, 2012 3:06 pm

    With some of the laws coming out of the legislature many must be on drugs. Their trying to pass a bill that they could not be called to testify and their being able to order their staff to not testify at a court hearing is beyond belief. Our own “good old boy” voted to force us to have septic tank inspections every five years. When it hit the news then he said he voted for it—but didn’t know what he was voting for. That should give all of us a good feeling. Part of the problem is we keep putting the same people back into office year after year. A large part of the problem also is the lobbyist have deep pockets and are fast to help “their friends”. Case in point the bill that raised the tax on tobacco was to have raised the tax on beer one cent per can also. That part of the bill was dropped thanks to a very strong lobbying effort by the beer industry.

  6. tallyho on March 3rd, 2012 2:28 pm

    Forget about finding drug free persons to work. Try to find someone that wants to work, when you can be in a Nanny country and set on your but, draw unemployment year after year, which is another form of wellfare.

  7. charlie w. on March 3rd, 2012 8:54 am

    Drug testing is fine but start with the governor and work down. No one should be exemt. Test them all and let the results speak for its self!

  8. Fairlane63 on March 3rd, 2012 7:34 am

    Hopefully, this bill will include the Florida Legislature. Considering many of their bills in the past few years, it’s obvious that drug usage is rampant there…

  9. yep on March 3rd, 2012 7:11 am

    I know the county currently has random testing and they will not hire you if you have used tobacco products in the last year.

  10. fishhook240 on March 3rd, 2012 6:57 am

    Let’s drug test them. Why do they always leave themselves out. The things they do surely should get them tested. Crooks

  11. art on March 3rd, 2012 5:40 am

    when in tarnation is the house going to pass a bill testing all legislators? lets start with the governor. it would be prudent to so, as a pre-employment screening policy for all those holding such high office. then, let them be subject to random drug testing once elected or taking position. what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.

  12. dad on March 3rd, 2012 3:45 am

    They also passed a bill where the law makers CANNOT be tested. I guess what’s good for the goose isn’t good for the gander.

  13. huh on March 3rd, 2012 3:00 am

    The Governor is a state employee, will he be submitting a test? I’m sure he is willing to take one when asked right?

  14. RB on March 3rd, 2012 2:38 am

    Good luck with finding clean people to work……

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News