DRUG-TEST BILL RESURRECTED

Senate Sends Measure to Committee

A Shawnee senator won another chance Wednesday to try to resolve
problems with his controversial legislation to allow schools to test
students for drugs and alcohol.

Senators rejected the bill Monday.

DemocraticSen. Brad Henry asked senators Wednesday to reconsider the
bill, saying, "We'd like the opportunity to get the bill to conference
and work on the concerns."

Senators agreed, passing House Bill 1289 in a 26-16 vote. The measure
will go to a House-Senate conference committee.

The measure would permit drug and alcohol testing of students in
extracurricular activities including band, 4-H, debate and sports.

Senators debated the bill for more than an hour Monday, arguing that
it was singling out the better students for drug and alcohol testing.

Henry said senators opposed to the bill obviously have concerns about
privacy rights. "There may be some things we can do," he said of the
privacy issue.

For example, the bill might be written to provide stronger
confidentiality of test results, he said.