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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 13, 2013 01:06 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Drug Screening for Certain Candidates |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation amending the Pennsylvania Election Code, which will require candidates for certain office in Pennsylvania to submit to drug testing. As you know, current Pennsylvania law requires candidates for state and local public offices to submit nominating petitions to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the County Board of Elections, respectively. My legislation will require candidates for any state office, municipal office, school board, or party office to receive a drug test, at their own expense, within ten days before submitting a nominating petition. At the time the candidate files their petition, they will include a drug screening certificate of compliance and drug test results along with nominating petitions. I am sure many of you are wondering why I would introduce such a proposal. For several years, bills have been introduced in legislatures across the country that would require recipients of public assistance to submit to drug screening. This session, three bills have been introduced in this legislature, which would require cash and medical assistance applicants to receive a drug test prior to receiving benefits. Likewise, measures have been introduced that would require constables, deputy constables and public and private school employees to submit to pre-employment drug screening. It is my opinion that if this legislative body is going subject others to drug testing requirements requirement, then we should be held to the same standard. Public officials at all levels are asked to serve in the best interests of their constituencies. As such, I find it absolutely necessary that we preserve the public trust, and submit to the same conditions we mandate to others as a condition of employment or receipt of public assistance. Please join me in sponsoring this very important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1934