Lawmaker Wants Parents To Pay For Involuntary Drug Tests

Public schools would be able to test kids for drugs over their parents’ objections, and bill the parents for the cost of the test, under a bill introduced Friday.

Rep. Jim Kempton, R-Albion, said school districts would be unlikely to use the procedure if the bill passes, but he wants to provide it as a last resort for situations where parents are uncooperative.

“That situation is presented in schools more often than many would like to admit,” said Kempton.

Parents would have to pay only if the drug test is positive, under the bill.

Teachers would go through state-sponsored training that certifies them to identify drug use in students. Then, they could order the tests over parent protests whenever they have “reasonable suspicion” that a student is under the influence.

Kempton persuaded the House Education Committee to agree to introduce the bill Friday. Next, the committee will schedule a hearing.

, DataTimes