House Panel OKs Revamped Drug-Testing Bill
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Posted: 8:27 PM Feb 21, 2012
House Panel OKs Revamped Drug-Testing Bill
The House Appropriations Committee has cleared a revised version of a measure that allows state agencies to randomly drug-test employees.
Reporter: Associated Press
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Tallahassee, FL (AP) -- February 21, 2012 --

The House Appropriations Committee has cleared a revised version of a measure that allows state agencies to randomly drug-test employees.

The panel OK'd the bill (HB 1205) on Tuesday after voting it down last week. Bill sponsor Jimmie T. Smith rewrote it so that no extra money for drug tests is needed. Tests will be paid for out of the agencies' existing budgets.

Another change made by the Inverness Republican is that the random sample of employees to be tested can't be more than 10 percent of the agency's workforce.

The measure allows -- but does not require -- state agencies to randomly test all workers every three months. It makes it easier to fire those who show positive for drugs after a first test that has been confirmed.

Latest Comments

Posted by: TallyGal on Feb 22, 2012 at 06:42 PM

You are absolutely right. This has already been ruled unconstitutional in Florida (other states, too). The politicians know this but they are doing it anyway to try to get tea party votes from people too stupid to know what the law is. They can always say "well, we tried. Vote for me!"
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 22, 2012 at 04:32 PM

Sounds like a bunch of potheads are skeered on here..
Posted by: 10 year state worker on Feb 22, 2012 at 03:08 PM

Coming out of each depts. budget??? I was under the impression the reason we have not recieved raises was because there was not money in the budget for them...but now there is money for drug testing??????? This is such a waste, people that apply for work with a state agency dont do drugs. All we want to do is provide the services to the general public and be paid accordingly for our job. So now Rick Scott not only is saying we are lazy but that we are dope heads. Funny how all state workers have kept the state going while apparently being high and drunk.If there is money for drug testing then there is money for raises. Maybe state workers need to ban togeather and let the Gov. know that we are really getting tired of supporting the state of fla. with no return on our investment. Enough is enough, it's not state workers job to support the economy on it's own. Little help here please. THOSE THAT STAND FOR NOTHING FALL FOR ANYTHING!!!@
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