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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Tony DeLuca |
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DeLuca introduces bill to require drug testing for school applicants
HARRISBURG, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, has reintroduced legislation that would require applicants for jobs in public and private schools in Pennsylvania to undergo drug testing as a condition of being hired.
The legislation (H.B. 408) would not affect current school employees.
DeLuca, chairman of the House Insurance Committee said his legislation also would require contractors who have contact with children in schools to submit to drug testing.
"One of my highest legislative priorities is to protect our children from situations in schools that may be harmful," DeLuca said.
DeLuca said his bill would require people applying for administrative and other postings in school districts, as well as with vocational-technical and intermediate units, to undergo drug testing. An applicant would have to submit to the drug test after a job offer has been received but before the final hiring date by the school district.
DeLuca said the regulations for drug testing for school districts would come from the state Department of Education.
The legislation is being reviewed in the House Appropriations Committee.
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