Prompted by a challenge last year, a lawmaker has made good on his word to try to require those running for legislative office to take drug tests.
Sen. Jack Harper, R-4, has filed a bill that would bar a person from seeking a seat in the Senate or House until after he or she has undergone a drug-screening test.
Harper said he expects opposition from groups who are likely to say the measure intrudes into people’s privacy.
Public release of test results
His bill, S1066, does not seek to disqualify those found with traces of “unlawful or controlled substances” but requires the public release of the test results.
Asked if such a law is necessary, Harper said:
“This stems from a debate that I had with a Democrat member last year and the member said, ‘Yeah right, Jack, like you’ve never done drugs.’ I said, ‘No I have not.’ And it (the conversation) led me to believe that maybe some people think that experimenting with drugs is commonplace.”
“I don’t think that sets a good example for the younger generation,” he said.
“A person is not eligible for membership in the Legislature until after the person has taken a drug-screening test that measures the presence of unlawful or controlled substances. A candidate for the Legislature shall take the test and shall permit the public release of the results…,” the bill states.
Even before debates over the measure could start, Harper said he might need to amend it.
“We’ll see if there’s support for it. I may need to amend some of the provisions in there, including the provision about controlled substances… Controlled substances, technically, are heavy sedation drugs that you can get under prescription,” he said.