House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would amend Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to require drug testing of all constables and deputy constables throughout the Commonwealth.

Under my proposal, county sheriffs throughout the state would be required to perform a drug test on a constable or deputy constable within 30 days of his election, re-election, or appointment to office. County sheriffs would also have the power to randomly perform a drug test on a constable or deputy constable. A constable or deputy constable must be removed from office by a court if as a result of a drug test, he tests positive for a controlled substance, or has refused to be drug tested by the county sheriff.

Furthermore, the court can remove a constable or deputy constable if they find he is unable to perform his duties as a result of a prescribed controlled substance unless it has been taken with the permission of his direct supervisor. The cost of all drug testing of constables or deputy constables would be paid by each county court system.

My legislation seeks to prevent constables and deputy constables from remaining in office if they test positive for a controlled substance. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.