Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru mid 2025, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
12/08/2024 10:20 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20190&cosponId=27302
Share:
Home / House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: January 3, 2019 10:53 AM
From: Representative John A. Lawrence
To: All House members
Subject: Cosponsor Memo - Drug Testing for Elected Officials
 
Dear Colleagues,

In the coming days, I plan to re-introduce legislation requiring all state-level candidates for elected office to submit to a drug screening prior to running for office.

In previous years, the House of Representatives considered legislation requiring teachers to submit to a pre-employment drug screening. This bill passed the House 182-12. With the thought of "what's good for the goose is good for the gander," in my view it is appropriate to broaden this requirement to those running for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor General, Treasurer, State Representative, and State Senator, as well as those running for judge of the Superior, Commonwealth, or Supreme Court.

Candidates for elected office would be required to submit the results from a drug screening along with their candidate affidavit, petitions, and statement of financial interest to the Department of State during the filing period.

Many public and private sector employers require a drug screen during the hiring process. Personally, I underwent several over the years when applying for jobs at different private sector employers. The people of Pennsylvania expect their elected leaders to meet a high standard, and it seems perfectly reasonable to require those running for office to meet the same standard as private sector employees.

I would appreciate your support of this initiative. Thank you.




Introduced as HB2719