Missouri lawmaker proposes drug tests for lawmakers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri lawmaker has proposed legislation that would require members of the General Assembly to be subjected to random drug testing during the session.

The Kansas City Star reported that Rep. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, thinks lawmakers should abide by the same standard as welfare recipients. Missouri lawmakers last year overwhelmingly approved legislation that mandated drug testing for some federal welfare recipients.

Brattin's measure would require that any lawmaker who tests positive for illegal substances would be removed from office and prohibited from running for any elected office for two years.

The bill has been assigned to the House General Laws Committee, but it has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com